Medical consumption and costs during a one-year follow-up of patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH in Six European Countries: Report of the TRIUMPH study

Objective: To determine the medical consumption and associated treatment costs of patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational survey in six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, with a one-year follow-up of incident and prevalent patients. Results: Treatment costs were estimated for 5,057 patients with a mean age of 66 years and a mean IPSS score at inclusion of 11.5. In 30% of patients watchful waiting was the therapy of choice for the full follow-up period, 57% were prescribed alpha-lockers, 11% finasteride and 10% phytotherapy at any moment during the follow-up (including switches and combination of treatment). Surgery rate was 4.9%. Mean one-year treatment costs were €858 per patient, three quarters of which concerned medication costs. Multivariate regression analysis showed that medication choice, complications and undergoing surgery were associated with higher costs. Conclusions: Treatment costs for patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH were moderate and largely consisted of medication costs. Daily practice and associated costs varied considerably across the six countries.

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