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Published on: December 28, 2021
5alpha-reductase inhibition for men with enlarged prostate
1Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine/AVAMC (112), Atlanta, Georgia 30033, USA. issa@emory.edu
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
|July 28, 2007
Summary
Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) effectively manage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from enlarged prostates. 5ARIs offer long-term benefits by impacting disease progression, making them ideal for sustained symptom improvement.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in aging men.
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a frequent cause of LUTS.
- Primary care settings are increasingly managing LUTS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) for LUTS management.
- To highlight the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in treating enlarged prostate.
Main Methods:
- Critical review of published literature.
- MEDLINE database search and reference list review.
Main Results:
- Alpha-blockers and 5ARIs provide short-term symptom relief for LUTS.
- 5ARIs demonstrate efficacy in impacting disease progression.
- 5ARIs maintain symptom improvement over the long term.
Conclusions:
- NPs are pivotal in assessing and treating LUTS in men with enlarged prostate.
- Treatment decisions should consider symptom severity and prostate size.
- Long-term 5ARI therapy is recommended for symptomatic enlarged prostate to address progression and symptoms.
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