Comparative Efficacy of Tamsulosin Versus Tamsulosin Plus Finasteride in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, a Randomized Open Label Parallel Group Study

Background: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common entity among elderly men and is responsible for significant disability. Medical treatment for BPH has played a major role in improving the symptoms associated with bladder outlet obstruction. Recent guidelines recommend the combination of an alpha-1 blocker and a 5-ARI as first-line treatment of men with moderate-to-severe LUTS. There is limited study data to support which is the effective therapy for BPH/LUTS in a tertiary care hospital in India. Methods: A randomized, open labelled, double blind, active control parallel group study comparing the safety and efficacy of tamsulosin versus tamsulosin+finasteride in subjects with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy. The subjects were randomized after obtaining written informed consent. The subjects were recruited from the patient population that was attending the Out-Patient department of Urology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University. Results: A total sample of 60 subjects, 30 into each group was enrolled. In the tamsulosin group, according to IPSS score, 11 patients who had moderate symptoms (36.7%) became mild, and among 19 patients who had severe symptoms (63.3%), 12 patients became mild (40%) and 7 patients became moderate (23.3%) with a p value of 0.021 which is statistically significant. In the tamsulosin+ finasteride group, according to IPSS score, 10 patients who had moderate symptoms (33.3%) became mild, and among 20 patients who had severe symptoms (66.7%), 12 patients became mild (40%) and 8 patients became moderate (26.7%) with a p value of 0.020 which is statistically significant. When comparing between the two groups, 76.7% attained mild symptoms in group 1 and 73.3% patients attained mild symptoms in group 2 with a p value of 0.766 which is statistically not significant. Conclusion: To conclude tamsulosin 0.4mg is as effective as the combination therapy of tamsulosin 0.4mg and finasteride 5mg in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to Benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Inhibitory Activities of Dimeric Ellagitannins Isolated from Cornus alba on Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is an intractable chronic inflammatory disease. We studied the efficacy of two ellagitannins, namely camptothin B (1) and cornusiin A (2) that were isolated from Cornus alba (CA) for the treatment of BPH, which is a common health issue in older men. The ellagitannins (1 and 2) were evaluated on its inhibitory activities of the enzyme 5α-reductase and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, its interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production, and its anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction in prostate cells that show hypertrophy (RWPE-1 cell). In inhibition of 5α-reductase, the ellagitannins (1 and 2) showed potential effects, compared to the positive control, finasteride. In the case of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, 1 and 2 showed good inhibitory effects as compared to the control group treated with LPS. The ellagitannins (1 and 2) were also shown to inhibit proliferation of, and induce apoptosis in, the RWPE-1 cell. These results suggest that the ellagitannins (1 and 2) may be good candidates for the treatment of BPH.

Using CT-guided stereotactic prostate radiation therapy (CT-SPRT) to assess sustained murine prostate ablation

The prostate is a hormone-responsive organ where testicular androgens drive the proliferation and survival of prostatic cells, ensuring the development and functioning of this gland throughout life. Androgen deprivation therapy leads to apoptosis of prostatic cells and organ regression, and is a cornerstone of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy treatment. For several decades, androgen deprivation has been used as an adjuvant to external beam radiotherapy, however, emerging data suggests that the low rates of epithelial proliferation in the castrated prostate imparts radio-resistance. As proliferating cells exhibit increased sensitivity to radiation, we hypothesized that short bursts of synchronized epithelial proliferation, which can be achieved by exogeneous testosterone supplementation prior to targeted high-dose radiation, would maximize sustained prostate ablation, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. To test this hypothesis, we designed a novel computed-tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic prostate radiation therapy (CT-SPRT) technique to deliver a single high-dose 25 Gy fraction of X-ray radiation. Sustained prostatic cell ablation was assessed post CT-SPRT by measuring prostate weight, epithelial cell number, and relative contributions of luminal and basal epithelial populations in control and testosterone-pretreated glands. CT-SPRT was safely delivered with no observed damage to surrounding rectal and bladder tissues. Importantly, castrated mice that received a pulse of testosterone to induce synchronous cell proliferation prior to CT-SPRT exhibited significant sustained gland ablation compared to control mice. These results provide new insights in stereotactic radiotherapy sensitivity to maximize prostatic cell ablation and improve our understanding of prostate gland regeneration that can potentially lead to improved non-invasive therapies for benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer.

Prevalence and indications of long-term indwelling urinary catheter among out-patients attending urology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania

Background People living with long-term indwelling urinary catheterization at home are increasing globally. Few studies on prevalence have been done globally and none in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the prevalence and indications of long-term indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC) at home in Northwestern Tanzania and to determine the reasons for staying long with an indwelling urinary catheter after diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy was confirmed. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at urology clinic at Bugando Medical Centre, a referral hospital in the Northwestern Zone of Tanzania. The study population included 2112 patients attending the urology clinic from December 2016 to September 2017 with different conditions. From this population, 202 out-patients living with a long-term IUC either suprapubic or urethral were conveniently selected. A review of hospital records of these 202 out-patients was done using a pre-tested checklist. Patients were interviewed to collect additional information. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13(college station, Texas). Descriptive statistics were used for categorical variable, whereas median [inter quartile range (IQR)] was used for continuous variables. Results The prevalence of out-patients living at home with an IUC was 9.6% (202/2112), CI (8.4–10.8). Age ranged from 18 to 95 years with the median age of 69 [IQR 61–77] years. Males 195(96.5%) formed the majority of participants. A total of 111 (54.9%) had catheters for ≥ six weeks and 123 (60.9%) had their catheters changed at least once. Common indications were benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), 129 (63.9%) and urethral stricture 34 (16.8%). Reasons for the long stay with an IUC at home, especially for those without National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) 49(94.2%) were endless appointments 23(52.3%), no money to pay for surgery 9(20.5%) and medical conditions 7 (16%). Only 3(0.1%) were under NHIF and were treated promptly. Conclusion Prevalence of long-term IUC in Northwestern Tanzania is high. Improved health care system is required to lower the high prevalence of long-term IUC at home through training of more urologists and these patients to be under the scheme of NHIF.

Spontaneous Intraperitoneal Rupture of Bladder Diverticulum: A Rare Cause of Peritonitis

Spontaneous rupture of acquired bladder diverticulum in an adult patient is an extremely rare pathological entity with only 15 cases reported in the available literature. Etiologies are dominated by bladder outlet obstruction, represented mainly by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in elderly men. Clinical presentation is nonspecific, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Surgical management is the standard approach for intraperitoneal rupture of bladder diverticulum. The prognosis depends on the earliness of treatment, associated comorbidity, and the nature of underlying diseases. Herein, we report a rare case of a 65-year-old male patient, who presented a spontaneous rupture of a large acquired bladder diverticulum, secondary to acute urinary retention complicating benign prostatic hypertrophy. The diagnosis was suspected in the presence of generalized peritonitis associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and was confirmed accurately and promptly by a computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis. The patient underwent a successful surgical excision of the diverticulum and bladder repair without delay. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged from the hospital without any complication.