[Impact of alfuzosin 10 mg once daily on quality of life in Tunisian patients with lower urinary symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Background: Incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), one of the most common conditions affecting adult men, increases dramatically after the age of 50. The various symptoms of BPH, which include lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), can adversely affect quality of life (QoL) and sexuality and 1-Blockers are the most frequently prescribed oral medications as first-line treatment.

Aim: The objectives of this study try to evaluate QoL and sexuality in patients requiring treatment by Alfuzosin 10mg once daily according to physician decision in current practice and to identify patient's profile treated with Alfuzosin 10 mg under daily practice conditions by Tunisian urologists.

Methods: 730 patients presenting a symptomatic BPH were enrolled in this study by 40 urologists. The impact of treatment on patient's QoL and sexual dysfunction were checked at every visit before treatment and at 3 and 6 months using "International Prostate symptoms score" (IPSS) and "Male Sexual Health Questionnaire - Ejaculatory Dysfunction" (MSHQ - EJD) questionnaire.

Results: BPH affect Qol and near half of the patients reported sexual disorders. The treatment compliance to Alfuzosin was very good with a regular intake in 92% of the cases. Quality of life significantly improves during visits: the global IPSS score decreases from 18.8 at baseline to 9.5 at 6 months. The same favorable evolution was observed with the bother score which decreases from 4.0 at baseline to 1.6 at 6 months, and with MSHQ - EJD score which increases from 10.5 at first visit to 11.4 at 6 months.

Conclusion: Alfuzosin 10 mg administered for 6 months provides a marked improvement in patients presenting symptomatic BPH not only on LUTS but also in QoL and sexual disorders.