Effects of short-term treatment with the α1-blocker alfuzosin on urodynamic pressure/flow parameters in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective: The objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled urodynamic pressure/flow study was to assess the efficacy of short-term treatment with the α₁-blocker alfuzosin in outflow obstruction of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Material and Methods: Urodynamic pressure/flow parameters were assessed after 2 weeks of placebo run-in, 4 weeks of placebo (47 patients) or 2.5 mg t.i.d. alfuzosin treatment (47 patients), followed by an 8-week extension period with alfuzosin (single-blind). Results and Conclusion: Four weeks of alfuzosin treatment significantly increased maximum flow (+29.0%) and decreased detrusor pressure at maximum flow (-30.2%), detrusor opening pressure (-39.4%) and maximum detrusor pressure (-28.7%). Short-term alfuzosin treatment improved outflow conditions in BPH by reducing prostatic urethral obstruction.