Attitude and perceptions of Alpha Blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for the treatment of BPH amongst Asian population: The result of PROSTATE study (Prostate Related Overview Symptoms, Treatment Awareness and Therapy Evaluation)

IntroductionAlpha-blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are the oral therapies offered to men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Lower Urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) for three decades. The acceptance and initiation of the medications, its long-term compliance amongst men are not well studied, especially in socio-economically diverse Asian nations.

ConclusionsThe prevalence of BPH and LUTS amongst men increases with advancing age, and they affect men both equally in Asian and Western nations. The cultural and socio economic differences may play a role in the acceptance, initiation and compliance of medications such as Alpha Blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors. Paradoxically, the medications are perceived to be efficacious and yet having relatively low acceptance and poor long-term compliance. Safety of the medications seems to be the main concern especially related to sexual dysfunction. Focused education on safety of medication may be the key to enhance treatment acceptance and compliance amongst men.

ResultsA total of 2416 subjects (1448 males and 968 females) were recruited.

Our study demonstrated Alpha Blockers and 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors were perceived to have high treatability, curability and reversibility for BPH (90%, 77% and 65% respectively). They are also considered safe (87%) and efficacious (80%).

Asian population perception of Alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for the treatment of BPH

Despite such high regards for the medications, 18% of participants did not accept the medicine as first line therapy, and 35% will not be compliant long term. Sixty percent believe the medications are associated with significant side effects and half associating them with adverse sexual function.

Asian population attitudes toward Alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for the treatment of BPH

No statistical significance was found between acceptance level with gender, income and education level. Subjects who perceived the medication safe however are more likely to accept and comply with this treatment (p-value<0.001).

MethodsPatients who attended clinic in a teaching hospital were recruited to complete non-validated questionnaires aimed to elicit the level of acceptance of Alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors. Associated parameters such as safety, efficacy, and side effects were recorded. Sub-analysis of subjects’ gender, income and educational levels were also compared, with respect to their acceptance levels. PROSTATE study was conducted in Malaysia as the overall population reflects a varied cultural and socio-economic diversity in Asia.

AcknowledgementsUniversity Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for allowing collection of data.

AimPROSTATE study aims to identify attitude and perception of Alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors amongst Asian subjects.

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ReferencesXia SJ, Cui D, Jiang Q (2012) ‘An overview of prostate diseases and their characteristics specific to Asian men’, Asian J Androl., 14(3), pp. 458-464

Glenn S.Gerber, (2004) ‘The definition of benign prostatic hyperplasia epidemiology and prevalence’, in K.T. McVary (ed.) Management of benign prostate hypertrophy. Totawa, NJ: Humana Press Inc, pp. 20-33

Amelia, Jia Ling Yeoh1, Guo Liang Yong2, Justin, Zon-Ern Lee3, Muhammad Syafiq Idris4, Teng Aik Ong5, Azad Hassan Razak6, Eng Giap Lee7, Mun Yee Siaw8

University of Adelaide1, University of Abeerdeen2, International Medical University3, University of Malaya4,5,6, Monash University7,8

No. 034

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