Ultrasound Estimated Bladder Weight During the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Tamsulosin

The aim of study is to investigate influence of tamsulosin on detrusor in patients with BPH. This is multi-centre, prospective and open study. Our analysis covers 20 patients above 45 y, with IPSS>8, RU<100 ml, PSA<4 ng/ml and last 3 months no LUTS treatment. At the end of screening with inclusion criteria, patients were treated with tamsulosin 0.4 mg o.d. for 3 month. We measured parameters for evaluation after 4 and 12 weeks of active treatment period: a. Primary: ultrasound estimated bladder weight /UEWB/ according to the techniques already described by Kojima et al. B&K Medical and Digital Communications developed software for linking the data obtained by measuring the bladder wall thickness with PC for calculating the UEWB. The bladder wall thickness was measured by using a linear probe 6-10 MHz by scans of the anterior wall at three points with a distance of about 1 cm between them; b. Secondary: pulse and blood pressure, T-IPSS, I-IPSS, O-IPSS, quality of life, US-residual urine, prostate volume and side effects of tamsulosin treatment. At screening, average value of UEWB was 64 gr., RU 47 ml, T-IPSS 15.4 points, I-IPSS 7.1 points, O-IPSS 8.4, IPSS Q&L 3.6. After 4 and 12 weeks of active treatment period we measured average value of UEWB 40 and 37gr., RU 30 and 23 ml, T-IPSS 7.4 and 5.2, I-IPSS 3.5 and 2.8, O-IPSS 3.9 and 2.5, IPSS Q&L 1.5 and 0.9. Side effects of tamsulosin treatment (ejaculation and libido problems 5%, headache 10%) were infrequent and mild and not a single patient stopped the treatment. Statistical analysis used comparison between results at the screening, 4 and 12 active treatment period with paired samples t test. We concluded that during 12-week tamsulosin treatment, all components of LUTS, measured with IPSS, improved significantly and residual urine decreased. With increased time of treatment, effect of tamsulosin statistically increased. Treatment did not influence pulse rate or blood pressure. After 12 weeks of treatment we measured significant reduction of ultrasound estimated bladder weight.