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The use of PDE-5 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (K McVary and S Kaplan, Section Editors)
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Abstract

The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH and ED has recently been the subject of significant research due to the prevalence of both conditions concomitantly existing in older men. Many large-scale studies have demonstrated an association between erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms. Although the mechanisms underlying the relationship between LUTS and ED are not fully elucidated, several theories are currently proposed in literature: the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway, RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling, pelvic atherosclerosis associated with chronic hypoxia, and autonomic adrenergic hyperactivity. The mechanisms by which these pathways affect the bladder, prostate, pelvic vasculature and spinal cord are also the subject of current research. In this chapter, we examine the randomized, placebo-controlled trials that have evaluated the use of PDE-5Is in LUTS, as well as randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) researching combination PDE-5Is and alpha blockers.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Casey Lythgoe reported no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

Dr. Kevin McVary received consultancies and honoraria from Allergan, Lilly/ICOS, NxThera, and Watson Pharmaceuticals. Dr. McVary received honoraria and payment for the development of educational presentations including service on speakers’ bureaus from GSK.

Dr. McVary serves as a Section Editor for Current Urology Reports.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA

    Casey Lythgoe & Kevin T. McVary

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  1. Casey Lythgoe
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Correspondence to Kevin T. McVary.

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Lythgoe, C., McVary, K.T. The use of PDE-5 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Curr Urol Rep 14, 585–594 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-013-0373-2

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