The effects of silodosin therapy on the parameters and patterns of ureteric jets in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms

OBJECTIVE: To our knowledge, there is no study in the literature so far to in-vestigate the effect of silodosin therapy on the ureteric jet parameters. Therefore, the objec-tive of this study was to investigate the effect of silodosin 8 mg/day for medical therapy of low-er urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on the col-or flow Doppler parameters and patterns of the ureteric jets.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospec-tive cohort study included 34 male patients who presented to our outpatient clinic with the com-plaint of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and received silodosin 8 mg once a day as med-ical therapy. In the color flow Doppler examina-tions, ureteric jets were observed and mean flow rate (JETave), maximum flow rate (JETmax), flow duration (JETdura), and flow frequency (JETfre) were examined. In addition, patterns of the ure-teric jets (JETpat) were also evaluated.RESULTS: There was no statistically signif-icant difference in JETave; however, JETmax, JETdura and JETfre were significantly higher at post-silodosin treatment. The patterns of ureteric jet were significantly changed following a 6-week treatment with silodosin (p<0.001). One ureter in the monophasic pattern group (9.1%) and three in the biphasic group (13.6%) turned to polyphasic pattern after silodosin use. None of the patients developed side effects that would require discon-tinuation of the drug.CONCLUSIONS: Six-week silodosin 8 mg/ day therapy for the treatment of LUTS in men changed the parameters and patterns of ure-teric jets at follow-up examination. Further-more, comprehensive studies are needed on this issue.