Does BPH Treatment Reduce Nocturia?

Some men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) find nocturia to be their most troublesome symptom, because it interferes with sleep. To determine the effect of BPH drug therapies on nocturia, researchers performed an additional analysis of data from the previously published MTOPS randomized trial (Journal Watch Jan 13 2004). In that 4-year trial, 3000 men with symptomatic BPH received the α-blocker doxazosin, the 5-α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, both drugs, or double placebo.

At baseline, men with nocturia reported an average of 2.3 episodes nightly. During follow-up, doxazosin recipients averaged 0.2 fewer nocturia episodes nightly than did placebo recipients — a significant difference. In contrast, finasteride was no better than plac…