Comparison of tamsulosin with tadalafil versus tamsulosin alone in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective: The objective of the study is to compare the use of tamsulosin with tadalafil versus tamsulosin alone in the medical treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Jos, using International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) scores, and maximum flow rate (Qmax). Material and Methods: A randomized longitudinal study among 56 consented patients with BPH at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Patients had the IPSS questionnaire and QoL scores and Qmax assessed at baseline. Thereafter, patients were randomized into groups A (tamsulosin and tadalafil) or B (tamsulosin only) and reassessed after 12 weeks of therapy. Data were recorded in a structured proforma, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 was used for data collation. Results were presented in tables and a Student t -test was used for the analysis. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 56 patients were studied with age ranging from 48 to 89 years, with a mean age of 61.82 ± 8.71 years. At baseline, the mean IPSS, QoL score, and Qmax for Group A were 14.28 ± 4.19, 4.29 ± 0.46, and 10.29 ± 3.05 and for Group B were 16.32 ± 2.83, 4.68 ± 0.72, and 7.43 ± 3.91. The assessment 12-week post-treatment showed that the mean IPSS, QoL score, and Qmax for patients in Group A were 9.73 ± 3.18, 3.19 ± 2.40, and 12.22 ± 2.97 and Group B were 11.18 ± 3.38, 2.89 ± 0.93, and 9.68 ± 2.95, respectively. Comparing the response to treatment in the two treatment groups using IPSS, QoL score, and Qmax, IPSS (1.618, P = 0.112) and QoL score (0.611, P = 0.544) were not statistically significant. However, the response in Qmax was statistically significant (3.191, P = 0.002). Conclusion: While combination therapy and tamsulosin monotherapy had a similar effect in improving IPSS and QoL scores, only the combination of tamsulosin with tadalafil had a significant effect in improving urine flow rate (Qmax).