Abstract

JIMENEZ CRUZ, J.F.; QUECEDO GUTIERREZ, L.  and  LLANO SENARIS, J. Del. Finasteride: ten years of clinical use. Sistematic revision of biblioghraphy. Actas Urol Esp [online]. 2003, vol.27, n.3, pp.202-215. ISSN 0210-4806.

INTRODUCTION: After ten years of clinical use of Finasteride in patientes with BPH, we carried out a systematic review of the literature including the assessment of their quality and grading the level of evidence for clinical recommendations. METHODS: Using Medline, Embase, Healthstar and Cochrane Library from 1990 until 2002, we select all the studies refering patients between 50 to 85 with symptoms of BPH, metrics of flow, prostatic volume, postmictional residue, detrusor pressure, adverse effects, cost-efecctiveness and quality of life. RESULTS: We found out 135 references, of which 36 accomplish the inclusion criteria. Of those, 3 have got level I of evidence, 12 level II, 6 level III and 10 level IV. Three are economic studies and two evaluate the quality of life. DISCUSSION: With a high level of evidence and after ten years of clinical use, Finasteride shows its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of patients with prostate bigger than 40 ml and/or PSA of more than 1.4 ngr/ml, with scarce adverse effects with a clear improvement of quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended (grade A) for clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: Finasteride, through prostate volume reduction, modify natural evolution of BPH, decreasing the risk of acute urine retention and surgery.

Keywords : HBP; Finasteride; Evidence based Medicina; Quality of life.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )