Cardiometabolic & kidneyCohort study

Cardiovascular safety of 5α-reductase inhibitors in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia and type 2 diabetes: a propensity score-matched analysis

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc PharmacotherPublished

  • retrospective, population-based cohort study
  • 1:2 variable ratio propensity score matching
  • cause-specific Cox proportional-hazard models

Authors' conclusion

Our retrospective data from two large cohorts suggest that the risk of MACE may be increased among patients with type 2 diabetes taking 5α-reductase inhibitors, potentially driven by increased risk of MI. This supports careful monitoring of macrovascular outcomes when prescribing 5α-reductase inhibitors in this population.

Study context

Population
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients ≥40 years with recorded type 2 diabetes mellitus and ≥2 prescriptions of 5α-reductase inhibitors or tamsulosin (2006–2021), SDRN-NDS and IMRD-UKpatients included per cohort · SDRN-NDS 11,969 · IMRD-UK 16,492
Exposure
5α-reductase inhibitors in comparison with tamsulosin

Main finding

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (SDRN-NDS) · median follow-up 3.8 (IQR: 1.7-6.8) years

Hazard ratio

1.15

95% CI 1.03–1.30

P = 0.007

5α-reductase inhibitors vs tamsulosin
HR 1.15 (95% CI 1.03–1.30); P = 0.007

As reported in the abstract

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

OutcomeHR (CI)P value
Myocardial infarction (SDRN-NDS)1.20 (1.03–1.40)P = 0.022
MACE (IMRD-UK) · median follow-up 4.8 (2.0-8.3) years1.26 (1.07–1.47)P = 0.008
Myocardial infarction (IMRD-UK)1.33 (1.10–1.60)P = 0.005

Stroke, cardiovascular death, microvascular complications of diabetes, progression to insulin-based therapies

No increased risks observed

Original publication

Cardiovascular safety of 5α-reductase inhibitors in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia and type 2 diabetes: a propensity score-matched analysis. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother. Published 17 January 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjcvp/pvag003

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it