INVESTIGATING CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF ALPHA-BLOCKER MONOTHERAPY COMPARED TO COMBINED 5-ARI PROTOCOLS IN THE CONTEXT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men characterized by prostate enlargement, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that significantly impact quality of life. Pharmacological management includes alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). To compare the clinical outcomes of alpha-blocker monotherapy with combination therapy in patients with BPH. A 6-month prospective comparative study was conducted in 100 patients with moderate to severe BPH. Patients were treated with either alpha-blocker monotherapy or combination therapy (alpha-blocker with 5-ARI). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at baseline and after 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Both treatment groups showed improvement in LUTS. However, combination therapy resulted in a greater reduction in IPSS scores and improved clinical response compared to monotherapy, particularly in patients with more severe symptoms. Combination therapy provides superior clinical outcomes and may offer better long-term disease control, while monotherapy remains effective for rapid symptomatic relief. KEYWORDS: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, combination therapy, IPSS score, prostate volume.