Efficacy of combination therapy with tamsulosin and zolpidem on nocturia in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

INTRODUCTION: We examined the efficacy of combination therapy with α1-blocker tamsulosin and hypnotic zolpidem in patients who had suffered from sleep disturbance associated with nocturia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 35 patients diagnosed with nocturia with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were studied. After treatment with tamsulosin for 4 weeks, 16 patients dissatisfied with nocturia (nocturiaquality of life index ≥4) and suspected to have sleep disturbance (Athens Insomnia Scale ≥6) received additional treatment with tamsulosin and zolpidem for 2 weeks. Outcomes were evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life index (QOL), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and nocturia-quality of life index (nocturia-QOL). RESULTS: After monotherapy with tamsulosin, significant reductions in IPSS (18.9 ±3.8 to 9.9 ±3.0, p <0.001), QOL (4.5 ±0.9 to 3.2 ±0.9, p <0.001) and nocturia episodes (3.4 ±0.7 to 2.6 ±1.0, p <0.001) were observed. However 20 patients were dissatisfied with nocturia (nocturia- QOL ≥4). Among 20 patients, 16 patients were suspected to have sleep disturbances (AIS ≥6). In these patients, additional therapy with tamsulosin and zolpidem significantly reduced nocturia episodes (3.3 ±0.8 to 1.9 ±0.7, p <0.001), AIS (10.6 ±2.9 to 6.8 ±25, p <0.001) and nocturia – QOL (5.6 ±0.5 to 3.6 ±1.1, p <0.001) compared with patients after treatment with tamsulosin only. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with tamsulosin and zolpidem may be useful for patients with BPH dissatisfied with nocturia and suspected to have sleep disturbance.