Medical Therapies for Treatment of BPH: Special Considerations in Elderly Men

AbstractPurpose of ReviewBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is among the most common diseases worldwide, manifesting clinically with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The prevalence of BPH and LUTS increases with age. There has been an increase in the types of medication available for treatment. The purpose of this review is to examine the recent literature on medication for the treatment of BPH and LUTS as it relates to older adult men.Recent FindingsAlthough many different medication classes have studies showing benefits in the older male population for those with BPH, careful attention needs to be paid to their side effects. Only three medications for BPH (fesoterodine, finasteride, dutasteride) were rated as “beneficial” by the FORTA classification scale.SummaryWhile many medical options exist for the treatment of BPH, their safety and efficacy as it relates to older adults are still under evaluation. Future studies need to examine more closely the effects of these medications on the older male specifically and if the benefits outway the side effects.

Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - November 6, 2019 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research