Five year study evidences UroLift System for benign prostatic hyperplasia as 'the standard of care for BPH'

The UroLift System, a medical device supported by Wessex AHSN's Industry and Innovation team, has demonstrated 'maturity as a standard of care for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)', in a randomised five year clinical study published in the Canadian Journal of Urology this month. 

Symptoms of BPH, also known as enlarged prostate, often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems, and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life. Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the alternative has traditionally been surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. 

This pivotal study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the UroLift System, and demonstrated its clinical advantages and durability. The authors noted the improved risk profile and postoperative implications compared to traditional surgery, and the significant improvements in symptoms, urinary flow, sexual function and quality of life over five years.

Results of the five-year L.I.F.T. study demonstrate that UroLift System treatment provides:

• A highly tolerable, minimally invasive procedural experience;

• Rapid reduction of symptoms after the procedure while preserving sexual function;

• Sustained effect, with IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) and Qmax (peak urinary flow rate) remaining  36% and 44% improved from baseline, respectively;

• Quality of life (QoL) score improvement of 50% over five years;

• A durable treatment with a low surgical retreatment rate of 2-3% per year.

UroLift is now included in NHS England's Innovation and Technology Tariff. Click here to find out more about how prostatic urethral lift systems provide an alternative surgical procedure for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. 

References: 

Roehrborn CG et al. Five year results of the prospective randomized controlled prostatic urethral L.I.F.T. study. Can J Urol 2017;24(3):8802-8813