EFFECT OF A COMBINATION OF DUTASTERIDE AND PARENTERAL TESTOSTERONE UNDECANOATE ON TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS AND PROSTATE IN PATIENTS WITH TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY AND BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Abstract

Background and objective The effect of a combination of testosterone and 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) on serum tes-tosterone levels, TD symptoms, and the prostate are not sufficiently established. Therefore, we examined the effects of long-acting parenteral testosterone undecanoate (TU) and dutasteride used in combination for the treatment of BPH patients with TD.  Subjects and methods We selected 130 patients with a prostate volume (PV) > 30 g from those diagnosed with TD and had received parenteral TU for 1 year. These patients were assigned to the following two groups: Group I, which comprised patients who received TU injections along with dutasteride, and Group II, which included patients with TU-only treatment. Statistical analyses were performed between the two groups to compare the results of serological tests, symptom questionnaire scores, and PV.  Results No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics such as mean age, comorbidities, testosterone levels, symptom questionnaire scores between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the testosterone levels or the change in testosterone levels after treatment between the two groups. The PV was significantly increased in Group II and significantly decreased in Group I. Both groups showed a significant increase in the total scores and all subscale scores of the IIEF and AMS after treatment. Group II had a significantly higher total IIEF score than Group I and a significantly lower score in the sexual function subscale of the AMS after treatment. Conclusions The combination of TU and dutasteride considerably improved serum testosterone levels, alleviated TD symptoms, and effectively reduced PV in patients with TD and BPH. However, compared with the TU-only treatment, the combination was less effective in improving symptoms related to sexual function. Therefore, dutasteride should be used with caution when treating BPH patients with TD, who mainly complain of sexual dysfunction.