RESUMEN
AIM: To investigate factors affecting the compliance of patients with the combination therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred BPH outpatients treated with combination therapy were surveyed. RESULTS: The absolute majority of patients (76.16%) expected a quick positive result. 10.47% viewed their disease as too advanced, did not believe in the effectiveness of medical therapy and believed the surgery to be the only treatment option. 24.42% of patients changed the medication dosage on their own, and 11% were ready to discontinue the treatment without consulting their doctors. 76.16% of patients considered the recommended treatment to be effective, 77.33% fully trusted the doctor. In the opinion of 8.7% of patients, the doctor did not sufficiently inform them about the prescribed drug. 22.67% of patients had doubts about a physicians competence, and 5.23% believed the doctor complicated their medical treatment and changed prescriptions too often. CONCLUSIONS: The patients had a high level of trust in doctors and showed psychological adherence to therapy. However, about a quarter of patients changed the treatment regimen on their own. Many patients had exaggerated expectations of the treatment. 8% of patients reported insufficient awareness regarding the nature and appropriateness of drug therapy, and one in five patients had difficulties in perceiving, remembering and following the treatment regimen. CONCLUSION: streamlining therapeutic regimens, prescribing non-titratable or combined drugs will help improve patients therapy compliance.