Long-Term Dutasteride Therapy in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Alters Glucose and Lipid Profiles and Increases Severity of Erectile Dysfunction

The study examined the long-term effects of dutasteride therapy on men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and found that it led to adverse metabolic and sexual side effects. The study involved two cohorts of 230 men each, aged between 47 and 72 years, who were treated with either dutasteride (0.5 mg/day) or tamsulosin (0.4 mg) for 36–42 months. The dutasteride group experienced significant increases in blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), and Aging Male Symptom (AMS) scores, along with reduced testosterone levels and worsened erectile dysfunction as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) scores. In contrast, the tamsulosin group did not show these adverse effects. The study concluded that long-term dutasteride therapy could negatively impact metabolic function and sexual health, and recommended that physicians discuss these potential adverse effects with patients before treatment.