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Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk for hip fracture associated with adverse drug reactions caused by α1‐adrenergic (alpha) blockers to treat female voiding dysfunction. Methods: Information from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 was used. Hip fracture women patients who received a prescription for an alpha blocker due to voiding dysfunction were the cases. A 30‐day hazard period after administration of an alpha blocker was set. The 30‐day control period was defined as 360 days before administration. The standardized incidence ratio and hazard ratio for the risk of hip bone fracture as related to alpha blocker use were analyzed. Results: The study cohort included 287 383 subjects having a mean age of 65.1 ± 9.7 years in the study cohort. A total of 170 and 79 hip fracture cases were diagnosed in the hazard period and control period, respectively. The incidence of newly diagnosed hip fractures per 100 000 person‐years was 763.4 in the hazard period and 348.5 in the control period. The hazard ratio for hip fracture after use of an alpha blocker was 2.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.74–2.77). Conclusions: Alpha blockers to treat voiding dysfunction may have association with the risk for hip fracture in elderly women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Effective medical expulsion for ureteric stones with α-blockers offers numerous advantages over surgical alternatives. However, its effectiveness remains uncertain and with the publication of new trial data, the available evidence requires reappraisal.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of α-blockers the management of ureteric lithiasis.Methods: A systematic review of the literature, with predefined search criteria, was conducted using PubMed and Embase. All randomised trials comparing α-blocker monotherapy to placebo or standard therapy were included. Stone expulsion rate was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were time to stone expulsion, analgesic usage and pain scores. Subgroup analyses assessed individual adrenergic antagonists and variations in standard therapy. Sensitivity analysis was based on stone location, stone size, Cochrane Risk of Bias score and study protocol. Summary effects were calculated using a random-effect model and presented as Relative risks (RR) and mean differences (MD) for dichotomous and continuous outcome measures, respectively.Results: Sixty-seven studies randomising 6654 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Stone expulsion rates improved with α-blockers (RR, 1.49; 95% CI 1.38-1.61). Contrast enhanced funnel showed evidence of publication bias. Stone expulsion time was 3.99 days (CI -4.75 to -3.23) shorter with α-blockers. Similarly, patients required 106.53 mg [CI -148.20 to -64.86] less diclofenac compared with control/placebo, and had 0.80 [CI -1.07 to -0.54] fewer pain episodes. Visual Analogue Scores were also reduced, -2.43 [CI -3.87 to -0.99]. All formulations of α-antagonists all demonstrated beneficial effects over conservative treatment/placebo. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated significant effects of stone location, stone size and study design.Conclusions and Relevance: Despite the opposing results of recently published trial, current evidence continues to demonstrate a potential benefit of α-blocker treatment particularly for distal stones over 5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the statistical and clinical efficacy of the pharmacological treatments of nocturia using non-antidiuretic agents. A literature review was carried out on the treatments of nocturia specifically addressing the impact of alpha blockers, 5- alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) and antimuscarinics on a reduction in nocturnal voids. Despite commonly reported statistically significant results, nocturia has shown a poor clinical response to traditional therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia including alpha blockers and 5ARI. Similarly, nocturia has shown a poor clinical response to traditional therapies for an overactive bladder including antimuscarinics. Statistical success has been achieved in some groups with a variety of alpha blockers and antimuscarinic agents, but the clinical significance of these changes is doubtful. It is likely that other types of therapy will need to be employed in order to achieve a clinically significant reduction in nocturia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of tamsulosin in treating women with voiding difficulty. Methods: Female patients presenting chronic, bothersome voiding symptoms, combined with subnormal uroflow were treated with 0.2 mg tamsulosin daily for six weeks. Outcome analyses included the International Prostate Symptom Score and uroflowmetry with post-void residual urine. Patients achieving a 50% or greater reduction in their voiding symptom score, combined with a 30% or greater increment in their maximal flow rate were regarded as having a good therapeutic response. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients classified as having bladder outlet obstruction, or detrusor underactivity based on pressure-flow study, excluding those with indwelling catheterization or intermittent self-catheterization as well as those with anatomic obstruction. Results: Ninety-seven patients met the study inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Significant improvements in voiding symptom score, storage symptom score, maximal flow rate, post-void residual urine and voiding efficiency were observed in all patients while on tamsulosin. A good therapeutic response was observed in 35.1% of patients. Of these, 33 were classified as having bladder outlet obstruction and 52 had detrusor underactivity. Although both groups experienced significant reduction in their voiding symptom scores, patients with bladder outlet obstruction were more likely to achieve a reduction of their voiding symptom score. The magnitude of improvement in uroflow parameters as well as the proportion of patients achieving a good therapeutic response (39.4% for bladder outlet obstruction vs 32.7% for detrusor underactivity, P = 0.69) were similar between the two groups. Adverse events were mild and tolerable. Conclusions: Tamsulosin has beneficial effects in a significant proportion of women with voiding difficulty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the long-term health consequences and increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes, there is great interest to potentially prevent or delay its onset. Primary prevention studies have demonstrated that intensive exercise and weight reduction, and to a lesser extent certain antidiabetic agents, can reduce new onset diabetes in at-risk individuals. Results from post hoc analyses and secondary end-point outcomes of large randomized controlled trials of cardiovascular drugs suggest that these may also have beneficial effects, reducing the incidence of new onset diabetes in addition to their proven cardiovascular benefits. Multiple meta-analyses confirm that drugs primarily acting on the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) reduce the incidence of diabetes in the populations studied, perhaps via improved insulin sensitivity and/or effects on pancreatic beta cells. However, results from the recent Diabetes REduction Approaches with Medication study specifically failed to show a significant reduction in the incidence of diabetes with ramipril in individuals with abnormal glucose tolerance at baseline. There is only limited evidence that statins improve glucose tolerance, and although beta-blockers tend to have detrimental effects on glucose tolerance, newer agents with vasodilatory properties may confer benefits. With current guidelines, the use of cardiovascular drugs modifying the RAS will increase in at-risk individuals, but at present, they cannot be recommended to prevent diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common cause of urinary outflow obstruction in aging men leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). α1-Adrenoceptors (α1ARs) antagonists (blockers) have become a mainstay of LUTS treatment because they relax prostate smooth muscle and decrease urethral resistance, as well as relieving bladder LUTS symptoms. A review of key recent clinical trials suggests new insights into the role of specific α1AR subtypes in the treatment of LUTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses conventional and alternative methods for providing analgesia in renal colic. Because of the side-effect profiles associated with both these groups, alternative methods of treatment are sought. Opioid analgesics and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, remain the mainstay of treatment for acute renal colic. Opioid analgesics, such as morphine and pethidine, are highly effective during the acute episode. Codeine and dihydrocodeine are less potent opioids than morphine, they are effective for relieving mild to moderate pain. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic with fewer opioid side-effects, notably less respiratory depression, constipation and potential for addiction.