Long-term dutasteride therapy in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia alters glucose and lipid profiles and increases severity of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundDutasteride has been successfully used in treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, dutasteride inhibits 5α-reductase type 1 and type 2 enzymes and may compromises glucocorticoids and androgen metabolism and alters metabolic function resulting in undesirable metabolic and sexual adverse side effects.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the long-term adverse effects of dutasteride therapy in men with BPH on: i) blood glucose, ii) glycated hemoglobin (HbAMethodsA retrospective registry study, with a cohort of 230 men aged between 47 and 68 years (mean 57.78 ± 4.81) were treated with dutasteride (0.5 mg/day) for LUTS, secondary to BPH. A second cohort of 230 men aged between 52 and 72 years (mean 62.62 ± 4.65) were treated with tamsulosin (0.4 mg). All men were followed up for 36–42 months. At intervals of 3–6 months, and at each visit, plasma glucose, HbAResultsLong-term treatment with dutasteride therapy is associated with significant improvements in LUTS, as assessed by reduction in prostate volume, IPSS and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Long-term dutasteride therapy, however, resulted in increased blood glucose, HbAConclusionOur findings suggest that long-term dutasteride therapy produces worsening of ED, reduced T levels and increased glucose, HbA