THE EFFECT OF ORAL DESMOPRESSIN IN PATIENTS WITH NOCTURIA DUE TO BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA: SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM RESULTS.

Nocturia is a common symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It may be treated with a blockers and 5 a reductase inhibitors, but in some patients, nocturia remains. In this study we assessed the short term and long term effects of oral desmopressin in patients with nocturia due to BPH.

Materials & Methods : Twenty three adult men with BPH and bothering nocturia (≥2voids / night) were treated with oral desmopressin at bedtime. Exclusion criteria included active urinary tract infection, history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, angina and hyponatremia. Patients received desmopressin tablets (0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg) during a three week dose titration period and after one week washout period the effective drug dose continued for 1 year. Clinical responses in patients were evaluated after 6 to 8 weeks and 1 year.

Results : All patients improved with this treatment. Nocturia episodes decreased from a mean of 4±0.36 episodes/ night before treatment to1.17 ± 0.28 episodes/ night after treatment (P< 0.0001). Hyponatremia did not occur in short term but in long term follow up, hyponatremia occurred in one patient.

Conclusion : Oral desmopressin tablets provide an effective and well tolerated treatment for nocturia due to BPH.