Avodart (dutasteride) in combination with tamsulosin is successful in treating men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), a recent clinical study has shown.
The final results from GSK’s 4-year CombAT (Combination therapy with Avodart and Tamsulosin) study have been published online in European Urology.
The results show that combined treatment with Avodart and tamsulosin significantly reduces the risk of acute urinary retention (AUR) or BPH-related surgery by 66% compared with tamsulosin alone.
It was also shown that combination therapy significantly reduces the risk of BPH disease progression by 44% compared with tamsulosin and 31% compared with dutasteride alone.
“BPH is a progressive disease causing discomfort, inconvenience and embarrassment for many men,” said Dr Claus G. Roehrborn, principle investigator and lead author of the CombAT study publication. “CombAT provides evidence that combination therapy may benefit these men, potentially reducing the long-term risk of disease progression and improving their symptoms.”
BPH affects almost half of men over 50 years old worldwide. Associated symptoms, such as incontinence and the urge to urinate more frequently, can impair the patient’s quality of life; and if left untreated, the disease can lead to serious long-term complications.
Dr Pim Kon, Medical Director at GSK, commented: “There is still a huge unmet need in the treatment of BPH. In the UK there are 3.2 million men over 50 years old with BPH. Of those, only 1.5 million have a diagnosis, with just 450,000 men currently receiving medical treatment.
“The high prevalence of this progressive disease and the detrimental effect it has on the quality of life of patients highlights the need for effective treatment options. Enabling GPs to offer better treatment potentially reduces the development of complications such as acute urinary retention and the need for prostate surgery.”