Dutasteride in Enlarged Prostate Economic Assessment: A Retrospective Database Pooled Analysis of Early 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor Use

Dutasteride in Enlarged Prostate Economic Assessment: A Retrospective Database Pooled Analysis of Early 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor Use

This retrospective study aims to assess the economic impact of early initiation of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy in patients with enlarged prostate (EP) receiving 5ARI and alpha-blocker (AB) combination therapy. Both the Integrated Health Care Information Solutions and PharMetrics databases will be utilized for this study (2000-2007).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male patients aged 50 years or older
• a medical claim of EP
• a prescription claim for a 5ARI and AB (provided both are within 180 days of index date)
• continuously eligible for 6 months prior to and at least 12 months after index prescription date.

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of prostate or bladder cancer
• any prostate-related surgical procedure within 5 months of index date
• prescription claim for finasteride indicative of male pattern baldness
• 5ARI therapy initiated prior to initiating AB therapy