This combination seems to be more efficacious in terms of several outcome variables in patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when treatment is maintained for > 1 yr ; when given for < 1 yr , α1-blockers alone are just as effective .
The combination of α1-blocker/5-ARI shows a slightly increased rate of adverse events .
It remains unknown whether its safety and superiority over either drug as monotherapy are sustained after > 6 yr .
The α1-blocker/muscarinic receptor antagonist ( antimuscarinic ) combination was most frequently assessed as an add-on therapy to already existing α1-blocker therapy .
Inconsistent data derive from heterogeneous study population s and different study design s. Currently , the α1-blocker/antimuscarinic combination appears to be a second-line add-on for patients with insufficient symptom relief after monotherapy .
The combination seems to be safe in men with postvoid residual < 200 ml .
The α1-blocker/phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor combination is a new treatment option with only preliminary reports .
CONCLUSIONS An α1-blocker/5-ARI combination is beneficial for patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when medical treatment is intended for > 1 yr .
Based on short-term follow-up studies , add-on of antimuscarinics to α1-blockers is an option when postvoid residual is < 200 ml
BACKGROUND Several drugs are approved for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) in men , but these are mostly used by clinicians as monotherapies .
The combination of different compounds , each of which targets a different aspect of LUTS , seems appealing .
However , only few clinical trials have evaluated the effects of combination therapies .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review analyzes the efficacy and adverse events of combination therapies for male LUTS .
Population-based survey of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other lower urinary tract symptoms in five countries: results of the EPIC study.
OBJECTIVE Estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence ( UI ) , overactive bladder ( OAB ) , and other lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) among men and women in five countries using the 2002 International Continence Society ( ICS ) definitions . METHODS This population -based , cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2005 in Canada , Germany , Italy , Sweden , and the United Kingdom using computer-assisted telephone interviews .  A r and om sample of men and women aged > /= 18 yr residing in the five countries and who were representative of the general population s in these countries was selected . Using 2002 ICS definitions , the prevalence estimates of storage , voiding , and postmicturition LUTS were calculated . Data were stratified by country , age cohort , and gender . RESULTS A total of 19,165 individuals agreed to participate ; 64.3 % reported at least one LUTS . Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS ( men , 48.6 % ; women , 54.5 % ) . The prevalence of storage LUTS ( men , 51.3 % ; women , 59.2 % ) was greater than that for voiding ( men , 25.7 % ; women , 19.5 % ) and postmicturition ( men , 16.9 % ; women , 14.2 % ) symptoms combined . The overall prevalence of OAB was 11.8 % ; rates were similar in men and women and increased with age . OAB was more prevalent than all types of UI combined ( 9.4 % ) . CONCLUSIONS The EPIC study is the largest population -based survey to assess prevalence rates of OAB , UI , and other LUTS in five countries . To date , this is the first study to evaluate these symptoms simultaneously using the 2002 ICS definitions . The results indicate that these symptoms are highly prevalent in the countries surveyed
This combination seems to be more efficacious in terms of several outcome variables in patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when treatment is maintained for > 1 yr ; when given for < 1 yr , α1-blockers alone are just as effective .
The combination of α1-blocker/5-ARI shows a slightly increased rate of adverse events .
It remains unknown whether its safety and superiority over either drug as monotherapy are sustained after > 6 yr .
The α1-blocker/muscarinic receptor antagonist ( antimuscarinic ) combination was most frequently assessed as an add-on therapy to already existing α1-blocker therapy .
Inconsistent data derive from heterogeneous study population s and different study design s. Currently , the α1-blocker/antimuscarinic combination appears to be a second-line add-on for patients with insufficient symptom relief after monotherapy .
The combination seems to be safe in men with postvoid residual < 200 ml .
The α1-blocker/phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor combination is a new treatment option with only preliminary reports .
CONCLUSIONS An α1-blocker/5-ARI combination is beneficial for patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when medical treatment is intended for > 1 yr .
Based on short-term follow-up studies , add-on of antimuscarinics to α1-blockers is an option when postvoid residual is < 200 ml
BACKGROUND Several drugs are approved for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) in men , but these are mostly used by clinicians as monotherapies .
The combination of different compounds , each of which targets a different aspect of LUTS , seems appealing .
However , only few clinical trials have evaluated the effects of combination therapies .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review analyzes the efficacy and adverse events of combination therapies for male LUTS .