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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Mar;57(2):407-18.
doi: 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.2.407.

Is Tamsulosin 0.2 mg Effective and Safe as a First-Line Treatment Compared with Other Alpha Blockers?: A Meta-Analysis and a Moderator Focused Study

Sung Ryul Shim  1 , Jae Heon Kim  2 , In Ho Chang  3 , In Soo Shin  4 , Sung Dong Hwang  5 , Khae Hwan Kim  6 , Sang Jin Yoon  6 , Yun Seob Song  7
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Is Tamsulosin 0.2 mg Effective and Safe as a First-Line Treatment Compared with Other Alpha Blockers?: A Meta-Analysis and a Moderator Focused Study

Sung Ryul Shim et al. Yonsei Med J. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: Tamsulosin 0.2 mg is used widely in Asian people, but the low dose has been studied less than tamsulosin 0.4 mg or other alpha blockers of standard dose. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin 0.2 mg by a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Materials and methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of efficacy of tamsulosin 0.2 mg using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-voided residual volume (PVR), and quality of life (QoL). Safety was analyzed using adverse events. Relevant studies were searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library from January 1980 to June 2013.

Results: Ten studies were included with a total sample size of 1418 subjects [722 tamsulosin 0.2 mg group and 696 other alpha-blockers (terazosin, doxazosin, naftopidil, silodosin) group]. Study duration ranged from 4 to 24 weeks. The pooled overall standardized mean differences (SMD) in the mean change of IPSS from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.02 [95% confidence interval (CI); -0.20, 0.25]. The pooled overall SMD in the mean change of QoL from baseline for the tamsulosin group versus the control group was 0.16 (95% CI; -0.16, 0.48). The regression analysis with the continuous variables (number of patients, study duration) revealed no significance in all outcomes as IPSS, QoL, and Qmax.

Conclusion: This study clarifies that tamsulosin 0.2 mg has similar efficacy and fewer adverse events compared with other alpha-blockers as an initial treatment strategy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Keywords: Prostatic hyperplasia; alpha blockers; tamsulosin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Flowchart of the study selection process. BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia; LUTS, lower urinary tract symptoms; IPSS, International Prostate Symptom Score.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Forest plot diagram showing the effect of tamsulosin 0.2 mg on International Prostate Symptom Score. SDM, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Forest plot diagram showing the effect of tamsulosin 0.2 mg on quality of life. SDM, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Forest plot diagram showing the effect of tamsulosin 0.2 mg on maximal urinary flow rate. SDM, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Forest plot diagram showing the effect of tamsulosin 0.2 mg on post-voided residual volume. SDM, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6. Meta-regression analysis of IPSS & Qmax vs. study duration. IPSS, International Prostate Symptom Score; Qmax, maximal urinary flow rate.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7. Funnel plot with peusdo 95% confidence limits of International Prostate Symptom Score.
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