The economic impact of using alfuzosin 10 mg once daily in the management of acute urinary retention in the UK: a 6‐month analysis

Abstract

options within the first 6 months after a first episode of AUR. Clinical data were obtained from a large randomized clinical trial comparing alfuzosin 10 mg with placebo, and from published reports. Cost data were obtained from both NHS and resource-use data gathered during the clinical trial. A Monte Carlo analysis, allowing variability in all uncertain variables of the model, was used to calculate the uncertainty surrounding the results. RESULTSTreating patients with alfuzosin during initial hospitalization for AUR and in the first 6 months after a successful TWOC generates a cost-saving of £349 relative to placebo.Savings related to immediate prostatectomy were £892; both savings were significant ( P < 0.05). Alfuzosin treatment was associated with a lower rate of prostatectomy after discharge from hospital after a successful TWOC. CONCLUSIONTreatment with alfuzosin 10 mg once daily before and after a successful TWOC has both clinical and economic benefits. It decreases the need for emergency surgery for BPH and reduces treatment costs in the first 6 months.

Acute and chronic urine retention among adults at the urology section of the Accident and Emergency Unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

“…Both alpha blockers and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are clinically effective and cost effective treatment options for patients with BPE [41]. Various authors have demonstrated the cost effectiveness of the use of alpha blockers followed by TWOC in patients with AUR, without the need for re-catheterization [42][43][44][45][46][47]. In the present study, satisfactory TWOC in the short term was found in 43% of those patients in whom AUR was caused by BPE.…”

Acute urinary retention: Who is at risk and how best to manage it?

“…The chance of success was reduced in those with larger retention volumes (> 1000 mL). The cost implications of this strategy has been analyzed and it has been suggested that there is a significant decrease in health care costs, even if the therapy is continued for 6 months after the AUR episode [47]. The results from this trial confirm those of a small pilot RCT using alfuzosin sustained-release 5 mg twice daily 24 hours prior to TWOC [48].…”

Medical therapy options for aging men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: focus on alfuzosin 10 mg once daily

“…The combined rate of successful trial without catheter during phase I and no BPH-related surgery during 6 months of treatment during phase II was 39% for men receiving alfuzosin versus 25% for those receiving placebo (p = 0.02) (McNeill et al 2005). Based on data from the ALFAUR study, alfuzosin treatment during hospitalization for the first occurrence of AUR and after a successful trial without catheter resulted in significant cost savings during the first 6 months when compared with placebo treatment and with immediate prostate surgery (both p < 0.05) (Annemans et al 2005). Alfuzosin is approved for the adjuvant treatment of AUR in more than 50 countries, but is not currently approved for this indication in the United States.…”