Add-on treatment with mirabegron may improve quality of life in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complaining of persistent storage symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after combination therapy of solifenacin and mirabegron in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia presenting with persistent storage symptoms after treatment with tamsulosin. MATERIAL & METHODS: We evaluated the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, peak flow rate (Qmax), and post-voided residual volume (PVR) before and after treatment. Patients showing baseline OABSS ⩾3 were included and treated with tamsulosin 0.2 mg as an initial drug for 1 month. After 1 month, add-on treatment with solifenacin 5 mg or mirabegron 50 mg was provided to patients who did not show improvement in OABSS with tamsulosin 0.2 mg. After 2 months, we evaluated changes in OABSS, IPSS, Qmax, and PVR. RESULTS: After combination therapy for 2 months, there were no significant differences between patients receiving add-on treatment with solifenacin and those receiving mirabegron. However, the IPSS QoL score improved in patients treated with mirabegron and tamsulosin more than in those treated with solifenacin and tamsulosin (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A combination of tamsulosin and mirabegron might improve the QoL of patients presenting with persistent storage symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy. Better QoL due to mirabegron compared with solifenacin could be associated with fewer adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.