Objectives: A pooled analysis of all available randomized trials with 2-year follow-up data with finasteride and placebo was undertaken to further investigate recent observations that finasteride use may reduce the occurrence of acute urinary retention (AUR) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related surgical intervention.
Methods: Occurrences of AUR and surgical intervention were examined by treatment group in a pooled series of 4222 men with moderately symptomatic BPH.
Results: In total, 81 occurrences of AUR were reported, 24 (1.1%) of 2113 in the finasteride group and 57 (2.7%) of 2109 in the placebo group. The hazard ratio was consistent in all three studies, with a 57% decrease in the hazard rate for occurrence of AUR with finasteride compared with that for placebo present in the pooled data set over the 2-year study period (P < 0.001). Additionally, 227 surgical interventions were recorded over the 2-year study period, 89 (4.2%) of 2113 in the finasteride group and 138 (6.5%) of 2109 in the placebo group. The hazard ratio was consistent across the three studies, with a 34% reduction in the hazard rate for occurrence of surgery with finasteride compared with that for placebo (P < 0.002). Overall, there was 35% reduction in the two BPH-related end points (ie, AUR or surgery).
Conclusions: Treatment with finasteride for up to 2 years more than halves the frequency of AUR and reduces surgical intervention by over one third relative to placebo in patients with moderate BPH. This is the first demonstration that long-term medical therapy can reduce clinically significant end points such as AUR or surgery, and these data have important implications for the long-term management of patients with BPH.