In an RCT, dutasteride significantly reduced total International Prostate Symptom Score in men with lower urinary tract symptoms over 24 months.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of dutasteride versus placebo in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. The study included a sample size of 8122 participants and maintained a follow-up duration of 24.0 months. The primary outcome assessed was the International Prostate Symptom Score and its subscores.

At the 24-month mark, dutasteride resulted in a significantly reduced total International Prostate Symptom Score compared to placebo, with a p-value of < 0.001. Similarly, the voiding subscore was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). However, storage symptoms showed no significant reduction (p = 0.09), and nocturia was not significantly reduced (p = 0.2) at this time point.

Longer-term analysis at 4 years indicated improvement in storage symptoms by 0.62 points (p < 0.001) and improvement in nocturia (p = 0.003). The study did not report adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability data. No limitations were explicitly listed in the provided data, and funding or conflicts of interest were not reported.

The practice relevance suggests that timely, comprehensive management of lower urinary tract symptoms may require additional therapy. Clinicians should interpret these findings with caution given the lack of reported safety data and the specific timing of symptom improvements.