Voiding dysfunction in patients with nasal congestion treated with pseudoephedrine: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Pseudoephedrine is a widely used nasal decongestant with known potential for adverse effects, including voiding dysfunction.
• The risk of pseudoephedrine-induced voiding issues in individuals without pre-existing subjective symptoms remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the subclinical effects of pseudoephedrine on voiding function in adult males without initial voiding complaints.
• To identify patient characteristics associated with increased risk of pseudoephedrine-related voiding dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 131 male patients treated with pseudoephedrine for nasal congestion.
• Voiding function was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire before and one week after treatment.
• Analysis included total IPSS (IPSS-T), voiding (IPSS-V), storage (IPSS-S), and quality of life scores.

Main Results:

• Overall, pseudoephedrine led to slight, non-significant increases in IPSS-T, IPSS-V, and IPSS-S scores across all participants.
• In men aged 50 years and older, pseudoephedrine significantly worsened IPSS-T, IPSS-V, and IPSS-S scores.
• Older age and higher baseline IPSS-V scores were associated with significant subclinical voiding dysfunction post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Pseudoephedrine necessitates increased vigilance in men over 50, particularly regarding potential subclinical impacts on voiding function.
• Even in the absence of subjective urinary symptoms, older males may experience detrimental effects on voiding parameters after pseudoephedrine use.