Evaluating the Impact of Early Versus Delayed 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Treatment on the Risk of Emergent Surgery in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Evaluating the Impact of Early Versus Delayed 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Treatment on the Risk of Emergent Surgery in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

This retrospective study aims to assess the impact of early vs delayed 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy in patients with BPH on alpha-blocker (AB) therapy and the risk of acute urinary retention (AUR), prostate-related surgery, and emergency surgery (defined as prostate surgery occurring within 30 days of AUR). The MarketScan database will be utilized for this study (2000-2008).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• aged 50 years or older
• diagnostic claim for BPH
• prescription claim for an AB and a 5ARI in the observation period (5ARI must occur within a 6-month window after the AB).
• continuously eligible for 6 months prior to and 12 months after index prescription date

Exclusion Criteria:

• prostate or bladder cancer during the study period
• any prostate-related surgical procedure within 5 months of the index prescription date
• prescription claim for finasteride 1 mg for male pattern baldness during the study period
• 5ARI therapy prior to initiation of AB therapy