Combined analysis of two multicenter studies of finasteride 5 mg in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

The purpose of this paper is to examine effects of finasteride 5 mg across different age groups in an ethnically diverse population of men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) seen in community urology and primary care practices. Data were combined from two previous placebo-controlled randomised trials of finasteride that evaluated changes in urinary symptoms, blinded global assessments of urologic status, adverse experiences, and effects on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in over 4500 men. Finasteride showed a favourable efficacy and tolerability profile in this large ethnically diverse population and was similarly effective in middle-aged and older men with BPH and prostate gland enlargement.