[Cost and effectiveness analysis of treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

To compare the costs and effectiveness of treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including pharmaceuticals (finasteride, tamsulosin, combined therapy), transurethral 2 micron laser resection of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Since July 2007 to June 2009, a total of 790 patients with BPH were prospectively collected in this study, including 390 outpatients with pharmaceuticals who were randomly classified into 3 groups of finasteride, tamsulosin and combined therapy, 140 inpatients with transurethral 2 micron laser resection of the prostate and 260 inpatients with TURP. The costs and effectiveness of each group were compared.

Prostate volume of finasteride group was decreased after three months of medication, of tamsulosin group no change, of combined therapy group was decreased after one month of medication. Maximum flow rate (MFR) of three groups was higher after one month of medication. International prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) score were decreased after one month of medication and further decreased 3 months, 6 months after the medicine, the difference was statistically significant. The effective rate of three pharmaceutical groups after 6 months of treatment was 84%, 89% and 89%, respectively. The cost of operative group was lower than 5-year cost of pharmaceutical group.

Tamsulosin combined with finasteride is the better pharmaceutical option for BPH patients and the transurethral 2 micron laser resection of the prostate, the cost of which is lower than pharmaceuticals, is a safe and effective surgery.