[PHYTOTHERAPY AND NATURAL AGENTS IN SYMPTOMATIC BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)].

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition among men over 50 years of age. Some patients require immediate surgical intervention for urinary retention. However, most men have a variety of symptoms that may require treatment. Medical therapy for BPH has been well known for many years including alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In recent years, men also receive anti-cholinergic agents, PDE5 inhibitors and other medical interventions. However, many men pursue alternative treatments and herbal medicines for BPH. We review herbs and herbal medicines that are used worldwide for symptomatic BPH. Many of them are supported by laboratory and clinical data. Mostly, mechanism of action are not fully understood but clinical benefit does support their use. Serenoa repens in hexanic extract (Permixon) is the only medicine that is backed with clinical data in high-quality clinical trials.

Clinical Effects of Oral Supplementation of Gamma-Cyclodextrin Curcumin Complex in Male Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-Related Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in males. Curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties which may be effective for BPH. This multi-arm observational study evaluated the real-world efficacy of QURMIN® (Gamma-cyclodextrin-curcumin Complex-CAVACURMIN®) as single or combination therapy for BPH. METHODS: Men with moderate-severe LUTS/BPH, receiving a 6-month supplementation with QURMIN® alone or in combination with BPH-specific medication were propensity score matched with patients not taking curcumin and then divided into subgroups based on concomitant baseline treatment. Cohorts were compared in the 6-month variation of IPSS, quality of life (IPSS-QoL), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) and uroflowmetry parameters. Curcumin tolerability was evaluated in terms of discontinuations and adverse effects. RESULTS: The 1:1 propensity score matching resulted in a treatment-naïve (n = 152), an alpha-blocker only (AB) (n = 138) and AB + 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) (n = 78) subgroup. After 6 months, drug-naïve patients taking curcumin reported significant improvement in IPSS-storage (-3.9, p < 0.001), IPSS-voiding (-2.0, p = 0.011), IPSS-total (-5.9, p < 0.001), IPSS-QoL (-3.9, p < 0.001), BII (-2.0, p < 0.001), Qmax (+3.1 mL/s, p < 0.001), Qmean (+1.9 mL/s, p = 0.005), post-void residual volume (-7.7 mL, p < 0.001), and PSA (-0.3 ng/mL, p = 0.003), compared to controls. Patients taking ABs and curcumin showed improvement in IPSS-storage (-2.7, p < 0.001), IPSS-voiding (-1.3, p = 0.033), IPSS-total (-3.5, p < 0.001), IPSS-QoL (-1.1, p = 0.004), BII (-1.7, p = 0.006), Qmax (+1.0 mL/s, p = 0.006), and PSA (-0.2 ng/mL, p = 0.01). Patients taking curcumin and AB + 5-ARI showed improvement in IPSS-storage (-1.3, p = 0.007), IPSS-total (-1.6, p = 0.034), IPSS-QoL (-1.1, p < 0.001), and BII (-2.0, p < 0.001). No adverse reactions were reported for curcumin supplementation. CONCLUSION: QURMIN® (CAVACURMIN®) led to significant improvements in symptom burden, uroflow parameters, and QoL, without significant additional side effects, thus proving to be a potential new treatment for BPH, either as a single therapy or in addition to standard treatment.

[Conservative and pharmacological treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia : The German S2e-guideline 2023-part2]. / Konservative und medikamentöse Therapie des benignen Prostatasyndroms : Die deutsche S2e-Leitlinie 2023 ­ Teil 2.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, in German guidelines: benign prostatic syndrome [BPS]) is considered the most common disease of the lower urinary tract in men and can have a tremendous impact on the quality-of-life of affected patients. Conservative and pharmacological therapy of this disease are of great importance, both in improving LUTS and reducing progression-related complications. OBJECTIVES: Presentation of the conservative and pharmacological treatment options according to the current German S2e guideline on BPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Summary and overview of chapters 9 and 10 of the current German S2e guideline on BPS. RESULTS: In addition to a controlled watchful waiting for BPS patients without an absolute indication for prostate surgery, a variety of phytopharmacological formulations and synthetic drugs according to the symptomatology and clinical progress are available. Phytotherapy should, due to inconsistent study data, only be considered for mild to moderate symptoms. Synthetic drugs include alpha-blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, antimuscarinics and, more recently, the ß3-agonist mirabegron in the current guideline. In addition, various combination therapies are listed and evaluated according to their indications, effects and side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The current German S2e guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of BPS provides an evidence-based foundation for finding the best possible and most effective medication.

Biopsychosocial approach to male chronic pelvic pain syndrome: recent treatments and trials.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a common urologic condition that can cause significant disability in affected individuals. Physiologic explanations of chronic pain are often incomplete; appropriate management of CPPS includes recognition of biological, psychological, and social elements, known as the biopsychosocial model. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this narrative review is to investigate treatments for men with CPPS, with a special focus on those utilizing the biopsychosocial model of care. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, using relevant Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords related to CPPS treatments. The search was limited to studies published in English from inception to January 2023. Additionally, reference lists of selected studies were manually reviewed to find studies not identified by the initial search. Studies were included if they investigated pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatments for men with CPPS. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. Antibiotics, α-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors were among the pharmacologic agents included in trials attempting to reduce symptoms of male CPPS. Studies that focused on treating CPPS without medication included interventions such as shockwave therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, botulinum toxin, cryotherapy, electrotherapy, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy. CONCLUSION: α-Blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have shown promising results in treating CPPS in men, while the effectiveness of antibiotics remains controversial. Antidepressants and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors may also be useful in decreasing symptoms in patients with CPPS. Treatments such as pelvic floor muscle therapy, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy must be considered effective complements to medical management in men with CPPS. While these interventions demonstrate benefits as monotherapies, the individualization and combination of treatment modalities are likely to result in reduced pain and improved quality of life.

Comparative analysis of efficacy of different combination therapies of α-receptor blockers and traditional Chinese medicine external therapy in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy of α-receptor blockers (α-RBs) and traditional Chinese medicine external therapy can serve as a treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). α-RBs includes tamsulosin, terazosin and so on and the traditional Chinese medicine external therapy includes needling, moxibustion, acupoint catgut embedding, acupoint application, auricular point sticking and hot medicated compress and so forth. Currently, there is no study in which Bayesian network meta-analysis is applied to making a comparative analysis of efficacy of different combination therapies of α-RBs and traditional Chinese medicine external therapy in the treatment of CP/CPPS. Therefore, based on Bayesian algorithm, a network meta-analysis was conducted by us to make a comparison between different combination therapies of α-RBs and traditional Chinese medicine external therapy. METHODS: A document retrieval was conducted in the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data Dissertations of China database, VIP China Science and Technology Journal Database, SinoMed. Literatures were searched for published in biomedical journals concerning clinical study on α-RBs combined with various traditional Chinese medicine external therapies in the treatment of CP/CPPS from inception of database to July 2022. Newest version risks of bias assessment tool (RoB2) was used to assess the risks of bias of studies included in this analysis. Stata 16.0 software and R4.1.3 software were used to make a Bayesian network meta-analysis and charts. RESULTS: 19 literatures were included involving 1739 patients concerning 12 interventions which were used in the treatment of CP/CPPS. With respect to the total effective rate, α-RBs+ needling was most likely to be the optimal treatment. Concerning National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) total score, α-RBs+ moxibustion+ auricular point sticking was most likely to be optimal treatment, the therapy ranking second was α-RBs+ needling, and the therapy ranking third was α-RBs+ moxibustion. Pain score, voiding score and quality-of-life score are subdomains of the NIH-CPSI total score. With regard to pain score, α-RBs+ moxibustion was most likely to be optimal treatment. In reference to voiding and quality-of-life score, there was no statistically significant difference between the efficacy of various interventions. CONCLUSIONS: α-RBs+ needling, α-RBs+ moxibustion and α-RBs+ moxibustion+ auricular point sticking provided relatively good efficacy in the treatment of CP/CPPS. In these treatments, attention should be paid on α-RBs+ needling and α-RBs+ moxibustion which ranked higher many times in the evaluation of various outcome indicators. However, there still were certain limitations in this study, so large-sample clinical randomized control trials with a rigor design following the evidence-based medicine standards need to be conducted to justify the results of this study. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier: [CRD42022341824].

Are herbal medications, with possible beneficial effects for benign prostatic hyperplasia, better to be continued during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Different strategies have been proposed to treat cytokine storm syndrome (CSS), the final deadly complication of COVID-19. One approach is to target CSS by blocking the interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway. A promising group of medications blocking the IL-6 pathway is α-blockers, such as prazosin. First, we hypothesized that Panax ginseng, commonly known as ginseng, can be an effective therapeutic agent in preventing CSS due to its blocking activity on alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (α1-AR). Furthermore, we suggested that herbs with 5α-reductase inhibitory effects, such as Saw palmetto, Nettle root, soya, black pepper, and green tea, can have debilitating impacts on pulmonary function since they can lead to impairment of the lung's ability to regenerate. Thus, we encourage the prospective studies to explore the potential effect of herbal medications, with possible beneficial effects for benign prostatic hyperplasia, during the COVID-19 pandemic since they are commonly consumed.

Chronic kidney disease, preoperative use of antispasmodics and lower resected prostate volume ratios are risk factors for postoperative use of adrenergic Alpha-blockers and antispasmodics.

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and laser prostate surgery are common surgeries for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We conducted an investigation using hospital database to evaluate the clinical factors associated with post-operative usage of alpha-blockers and antispasmodics. METHODS: This study was conducted using retrospective clinical data from the hospital database, which contained newly diagnosed BPH patients between January 2007 and December 2012 who subsequently received prostate surgery. The study end-point was the use of alpha-blockers or antispasmodics for at least 3 months duration after 1 month of surgery. The exclusion criteria was prostate cancer diagnosed before or after the surgery, recent transurethral surgeries, history of open prostatectomy, and history of spinal cord injury. Clinical parameters, including age, body mass index, preoperative prostate specific antigen value, comorbidities, preoperative usage of alpha-blockers, anstispasmodics and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, surgical methods, resected prostate volume ratios, and preoperative urine flow test results, were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients receiving prostate surgery in the database and confirmed pathologically benign were included. There was significant association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the usage of alpha-blockers after prostate surgery (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.04-3.56, p = 0.036). Postoperative antispasmodics usage was significantly associated with preoperative usage of antispasmodics (OR = 2.33, 95% CI 1.02-5.36, p = 0.046) and resected prostate volume ratio (OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.63, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: BPH patients with underlying CKD were more likely to require alpha-blockers after surgery. In the meantime, BPH patients who required antispasmodics before surgery and who received lower prostate volume resection ratio were more liable to antispasmodics after prostate surgery.

[Alpha-blockers or hexanic extract of Serenoa repens for 6 months: sub-analysis of the PERSAT study]. / Alpha-bloquants ou extrait hexanique de Serenoa repens pendant 6 mois : sous-analyse de l'étude PERSAT.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this sub-analysis of the PERSAT study was to evaluate the efficacy of hexanic extract of S. Repens (HESr) and alpha-blockers (AB), at 6 months in patients with moderate to severe LUTS/BPH. METHODS: The PERSAT observational study was conducted in France by general practitioners on patients with BPH with an IPSS≥12 score. The primary endpoint was the percentage of responders (decrease in total IPSS score ≥ 3) at 6 months. Improvement in quality of life (IPSS-QoL) as well as patient satisfaction were also measured. RESULTS: Of the 759 patients in the study, 324 treated with HESr and 309 with AB were reviewed at 6 months, with no change in treatment during follow-up. Characteristics at inclusion were globally similar with a mean IPSS of 18.2±4.9. The response rates at 6 months (IPSS-total decrease ≥ 3) were 93.7% and 94.8% for patients treated with HESr and AB, with a mean decrease in IPSS score of 10.1±5.6 points, which reached 13.6 and 14.8 points respectively, in severe patients (IPSS>19), without major difference between groups. More than 95% of HESr or AB patients reported a significant overall improvement in their LUTS/BPH. The most frequently reported adverse events with AB were ejaculation disorders (4.9%) and hypotension (4.2%) and with HESr digestive disorders (1.5%). CONCLUSION: This sub-analysis of the PERSAT cohort reported the clinical efficacy of HESr and AB as a first-line treatment in the management of moderate or severe LUTS/BPH patients.

Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture and its cotreatment with electronic moxibustion in the treatment of patients with moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia using alpha blocker: An assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease that affects the quality of life by causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men. Electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion therapy have been suggested as an adjunct therapy for improving LUTS in patients with BPH, but clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of EA and its cotreatment with electronic moxibustion (EM) in patients who have been prescribed alpha blockers have yet to be reported. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EA and EM. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with BPH were randomized to treatment group (TG, n = 14) or control group (CG, n = 14). The TG continued to use the previously prescribed alpha blocker and received the cotreatment of EA and EM 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The CG continued to use the previously prescribed alpha blocker alone for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the mean change in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) from baseline to week 6. The secondary outcomes were IPSS at week 3 and 12, clinical relevance, IPSS life satisfaction, EuroQol-Five dimensions, average urinary flow rate, maximum urinary flow rate, and prostate volume. RESULTS: The IPSS decreased at all time points with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (3W: P = .0313; 6W: P = .0010; 12W: P = .0304). Based on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID, 3 points), there were significant differences between the TG and the CG at week 3, 6, and 12 (3W: P = .0461; 6W: P = .0123; 12W: P = .0216). Significant group × week interaction effects were found for the IPSS score (P = .0018), as determined from analyses using repeated measures analysis of variance. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in IPSS life satisfaction, EuroQol-Five dimensions, average urinary flow rate, maximum urinary flow rate, and prostate volume. CONCLUSION: EA and its cotreatment with EM might have a beneficial effect as an adjunct therapy in improving LUTS in patients with BPH. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the effectiveness and safety of EA and its cotreatment with EM.

Predictive factors for alpha blocker use after transurethral prostatectomy: Can preoperative urodynamic outcome predict alpha blocker medication after surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic value of conducting urodynamic study (UDS) and show predictors for alpha blocker use 12 months after transurethral prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study includes 406 participants that had a transurethral prostatectomy at our hospital between 2010 and 2019. All participants took alpha blockers for more than a month. We collected the participants' preoperative international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, transrectal ultrasound, and serum prostatic antigen (PSA) level. A total of 254 patients conducted UDS. After surgery, participants visited our hospital at 1,3,6, and 12 months. RESULTS: 133 patients (32.6%) took alpha blockers continuously for 12 months after surgery. They reported poor preoperative IPSS scores and uroflowmetry outcomes. They also had high postoperative PVR (40.68±24.56 vs 29.34±25.11, p<0.001) and total IPSS score (10.35±7.96 vs 8.43±6.74, p = 0.018) compared to the group which discontinued alpha blockers. A multivariate analysis (Table 2) found that conducting preoperative UDS (Odds ratio (OR) 6.067, p<0.001) Age>75 (OR 2.463, p<0.001), a history of taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) before surgery (OR 2.186 [95% CI 1.334-3.583], p = 0.002), IPSS item straining (OR 1.224, p = 0.003), duration of taking alpha blockers [OR 1.009, p = 0.020), and Qmax (OR 0.926, p = 0.018), PVR (OR 1.002, p = 0.022) were confirmed as a strong predictors of persistent alpha blocker use. CONCLUSION: Conducting preoperative UDS, Age>75, history of taking 5-ARI before surgery, IPSS item straining, duration of alpha blocker medication, Qmax, and PVR are possible determinant factors of alpha blocker use after surgery. By comparing UDS outcomes, detrusor underactivity can be a strong predictor of persisting alpha blocker therapy 12 months after surgery.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the gold-standard treatment for alleviating urinary symptoms and improving urinary flow in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the morbidity of TURP approaches 20%, and less invasive techniques have been developed for treating BPH. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is an alternative, minimally-invasive treatment that delivers microwave energy to produce coagulation necrosis in prostatic tissue. This is an update of a review last published in 2012. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of transurethral microwave thermotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. SEARCH METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search using multiple databases (the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS), trials registries, other sources of grey literature, and conference proceedings published up to 31 May 2021, with no restrictions by language or publication status. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs of participants with BPH who underwent TUMT. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion at each stage and undertook data extraction and risk of bias and GRADE assessments of the certainty of the evidence (CoE). We considered review outcomes measured up to 12 months after randomization as short-term and beyond 12 months as long-term. Our main outcomes included: urologic symptoms scores, quality of life, major adverse events, retreatment, and ejaculatory and erectile function. MAIN RESULTS: In this update, we identified no new RCTs, but we included data from studies excluded in the previous version of this review. We included 16 trials with 1919 participants, with a median age of 69 and moderate lower urinary tract symptoms. The certainty of the evidence for most comparisons was moderate-to-low, due to an overall high risk of bias across studies and imprecision (few participants and events). TUMT versus TURP Based on data from four studies with 306 participants, when compared to TURP, TUMT probably results in little to no difference in urologic symptom scores measured by the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) on a scale from 0 to 35, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms at short-term follow-up (mean difference (MD) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.03 to 2.03; moderate certainty). There is likely to be little to no difference in the quality of life (MD -0.10, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.47; 1 study, 136 participants, moderate certainty). TUMT likely results in fewer major adverse events (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43; 6 studies, 525 participants, moderate certainty); based on 168 cases per 1000 men in the TURP group, this corresponds to 135 fewer (153 to 96 fewer) per 1000 men in the TUMT group. TUMT, however, probably results in a large increase in the need for retreatment (risk ratio (RR) 7.07, 95% CI 1.94 to 25.82; 5 studies, 337 participants, moderate certainty) (usually by repeated TUMT or TURP); based on zero cases per 1000 men in the TURP group, this corresponds to 90 more (40 to 150 more) per 1000 men in the TUMT group. There may be little to no difference in erectile function between these interventions (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.63; 5 studies, 337 participants; low certainty). However, TUMT may result in fewer cases of ejaculatory dysfunction compared to TURP (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.53; 4 studies, 241 participants; low certainty). TUMT versus sham Based on data from four studies with 483 participants we found that, when compared to sham, TUMT probably reduces urologic symptom scores using the IPSS at short-term follow-up (MD -5.40, 95% CI -6.97 to -3.84; moderate certainty). TUMT may cause little to no difference in the quality of life (MD -0.95, 95% CI -1.14 to -0.77; 2 studies, 347 participants; low certainty) as measured by the IPSS quality-of-life question on a scale from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating a worse quality of life. We are very uncertain about the effects on major adverse events, since most studies reported no events or isolated lesions of the urinary tract. TUMT may also reduce the need for retreatment compared to sham (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.88; 2 studies, 82 participants, low certainty); based on 194 retreatments per 1000 men in the sham group, this corresponds to 141 fewer (178 to 23 fewer) per 1000 men in the TUMT group. We are very uncertain of the effects on erectile and ejaculatory function (very low certainty), since we found isolated reports of impotence and ejaculatory disorders (anejaculation and hematospermia). There were no data available for the comparisons of TUMT versus convective radiofrequency water vapor therapy, prostatic urethral lift, prostatic arterial embolization or temporary implantable nitinol device. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: TUMT provides a similar reduction in urinary symptoms compared to the standard treatment (TURP), with fewer major adverse events and fewer cases of ejaculatory dysfunction at short-term follow-up. However, TUMT probably results in a large increase in retreatment rates. Study limitations and imprecision reduced the confidence we can place in these results. Furthermore, most studies were performed over 20 years ago. Given the emergence of newer minimally-invasive treatments, high-quality head-to-head trials with longer follow-up are needed to clarify their relative effectiveness. Patients' values and preferences, their comorbidities and the effects of other available minimally-invasive procedures, among other factors, can guide clinicians when choosing the optimal treatment for this condition.

Rezum therapy for patients with large prostates (≥ 80 g): initial clinical experience and postoperative outcomes.

PURPOSE: Rezum is a minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Current guidelines recommend Rezum for prostates < 80 cc, but little data exist describing outcomes in patients with prostates ≥ 80 cc. We compare outcomes after Rezum between men with small < 80 cc (SP) and large ≥ 80 cc prostates (LP). METHODS: Patients undergoing Rezum between Jan 2017-Feb 2020 were subdivided by prostate volume (< 80, ≥ 80 cc). Outcomes were documented pre- and postoperatively. Descriptive analyses of urodynamics data (Qmax, PVR), symptom scores (AUA-SS, SHIM), disease management (medications, catheterization, retreatments), and clinical outcomes were conducted. RESULTS: 36 (17.6%) men had prostates ≥ 80 cc (LP mean prostate size 106.8 cc). LP men had improved Qmax and PVR postoperatively; those with longitudinal follow-up exhibited improved Qmax, PVR, and AUA-SS. After one year, alpha-blocker usage decreased significantly (LP 94.44-61.11%, p = 0.001, SP 73.96-46.15%, p = 0.001); other medication usage and self-catheterization rates remained unchanged. Compared to SP patients, differences in passing trial void (LP 94.44%, SP 93.45%), postoperative UTI (LP 19.44%, SP 10.12%), ED visits (LP 22.22%, SP 17.86%), readmissions (LP 8.33%, SP 4.76%), and retreatment (LP 8.33%, SP 4.76%) were insignificant. However, mean days to foley removal (LP 9, SP 5.71, p = 0.003) and urosepsis rates (LP 5.56%, SP 0.00%, p = 0.002) differed. CONCLUSION: In select LP patients, Rezum provided short-term symptomatic relief and improved voiding function comparable to SP patients. Postoperatively, though alpha-blocker usage decreased significantly, use of other medications did not change, and nearly two-thirds of patients still needed alpha-blockade. Further efforts should explore the possibility of expanding Rezum's inclusion criteria.

A glimpse into the efficacy of alternative therapies in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease that can cause uncomfortable lower urinary tract symptoms. The occurrence of symptomatic BPH develops after the age of 40 years and increases gradually with age to reach more than 50% at the age of 60 years and severely disturbs the quality of life of the patients. Alpha-blockers and 5­alpha reductase inhibitors are first-line agents used for the treatment of BPH. Due to the adverse effects of these conventional therapies, many patients turn to phytotherapy and other alternative therapies. This review covers alternative therapies, i.e., phytotherapy (cernilton, eviprostat, quercetin, saw palmetto and pumpkin seed) and physical therapy (acupuncture, aquablation, pulsed electromagnetic field, prostate urethral lift, radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy, thermobalancing therapy, and transurethral needle ablation) commonly used in the management of BPH.

National Trends in the Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To gain an understanding of current practices in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in the setting of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Including both medication therapy and emerging minimally invasive options including peri-procedure considerations, expected outcomes, and value-based considerations. RECENT FINDINGS: Medical therapy, primarily alpha blockers (ABs), and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) remain the most commonly utilized intervention for LUTS associated with BPH. Several minimally invasive surgical treatments (MISTs) have emerged to provide efficacious and durable results, while largely sparing men from the sexual adverse effects of more invasive surgical options. The introduction of value-based health care has led to more cost-conscious medical care and is poised to influence the landscape of LUTS associated with BPH treatment. As the population-based and societal needs continue to influence medical care for men with LUTS associated with BPH, a paradigm shift in management is expected.

Medication Discontinuation Following Transurethral Prostatectomy: an Unrecognized Effectiveness Measure?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Freedom from medication is a common goal for patients undergoing surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Knowing medication discontinuation rates following various forms of transurethral prostatectomy may aid patient counseling and assessing the comparative effectiveness of different approaches. This review examined discontinuation rates of BPH/LUTS medications following transurethral prostatectomy. RECENT FINDINGS: Rates of BPH/LUTS medication use after transurethral resection of the prostate varied from 15% to 55%, and discontinuation rates were 54-95% across medications and follow-up periods. For laser prostatectomy, approximately 18% of patients continued medications postoperatively and discontinuation rates ranged from 53% to 75%. Minimal data on holmium laser enucleation existed. For reference, medication discontinuation rates after transurethral needle ablation or microwave therapy were only 15-28%. No recommendations or best practices inform the use of medical therapy following BPH surgery. Rates of BPH/LUTS medication use following transurethral prostatectomy are considerable.

[Alpha-blockers or phytotherapy as first-line treatment of LUTS/BPH in general medicine: The PERSAT non-interventional study]. / Alpha-bloquants ou phytothérapie en traitement de première intention des SBAU/HBP en médecine générale : l'étude non interventionnelle PERSAT.

PURPOSE: The objective of the PERSAT study was to evaluate first-line treatment of BPH-associated LUTS in real-life conditions. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in France by general practitioners (GP) on patients with moderate to severe LUTS (IPSS ≥12). GPs freely decided to prescribe either an alpha-blocker (AB) or phytotherapeutic treatment (PT). The main criterion was the percentage of responding patients (decrease in total IPSS score ≥3) at 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 849 patients included, 759 were analysed (381 treated with AB and 378 with PT); 718 were followed up at 6 months, 90% of which had no treatment modification. Their inclusion characteristics were similar between the AB and PT groups (mean IPSS: 18.6±4.5 and 17.8±4.1, respectively). Treatment response rates at 6 months were 94.2% [91.2%; 96.4%] in AB and 92.5% [89.2%; 95.1%] in PT. The IPSS decreased by 10.0±5.6 points, with no difference between groups. The proportion of patients bothered by their LUTS (IPSS-QoL ≥4) evolved from 88.5% to 6.5% at 6 months. The improvement of LUTS was perceived by more than 94% of patients (PGI-I) and doctors (CGI-I), 93% of patients were satisfied with the treatment at 6 months, regardless of the treatment initiated. The most reported adverse reactions were ejaculation disorder (3.9% for AB and 0.9% for PT). CONCLUSION: PERSAT confirms in current practice the effectiveness of AB and PT treatments, recommended as first-line treatment in LUTS/BPH. LEVEL OF PROOF: 3.

Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture and its cotreatment with electronic moxibustion in the treatment of patients with moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia using alpha blocker: Study protocol for an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical condition that affects the quality of life by causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in 40% to 70% of men aged ≥60 years. Medication treatment is primarily recommended for patients with BPH if their symptom score based on the International Prostate Symptom score (IPSS) is above the moderate level. However, electroacupuncture (EA) and electronic moxibustion (EM), one of the most recent complementary and alternative treatments, are suggested as adjuvant treatments in the improvement of LUTS caused by BPH with respect to the limitations of medication treatments, such as side effects or no improvement in LUTS despite treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EA and its cotreatment with EM for the improvement of LUTS in patients diagnosed with BPH using an alpha blocker but with moderate symptoms on the basis of IPSS. METHODS/DESIGN: This protocol is a 2-arm parallel-design, randomized, controlled assessor-blinded clinical trial. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with BPH are randomized to one of the following groups: [EA and its cotreatment with EM + alpha blocker group] and [alpha blocker group]. [EA and its cotreatment with EM + alpha blocker group] continues to use the previously prescribed alpha blocker and visits the study institution 3 times a week for 6 weeks to receive the cotreatment of EA and EM. [Alpha blocker group] continues to use the previously prescribed alpha blocker for 6 weeks. To evaluate the effectiveness of the EA and its cotreatment with EM, the followings are measured: total score of the IPSS, IPSS quality of life assessment, EuroQol-Five dimension, maximum and average urinary flow rate (Qmax and Qave), and prostate size at the baseline, 3rd, 6th, and 12th weeks. The primary effectiveness endpoint measures the average change in the total score of the IPSS at the 6th week. Side effects are recorded at each visit. DISCUSSION: The results of this study are expected to provide useful information on the effectiveness and safety of the EA and its cotreatment with EM for patients with BPH with regard to the improvements in LUTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service of Republic of Korea (CRIS-KCT0004411), October 31, 2019.

[Treatment mapping of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia-an analysis of the Governing Body of German Prostate Centers]. / Versorgungsabbild des benignen Prostatasyndroms ­ eine Analyse des Dachverbandes der Prostatazentren Deutschlands (DVPZ) e. V.

BACKGROUND: Due to the high incidence and demographic development, there is an urgent need for healthcare research data on lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LTUS/BPH). Since 2005 the Governing Body of German Prostate Centers (DVPZ) has been collecting data from 22 prostate centers in order to determine the quality and type of cross-sectoral care in particular for LUTS/BPH patients. OBJECTIVES: Presentation of the DVPZ database in general, as well as an investigation of treatment patterns for medical and instrumental therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis is based on UroCloud data sets from 30 November 2017. In the UroCloud data on diagnostics, therapy and course of disease are recorded in a web-based manner. RESULTS: A total of 29,555 therapies were documented for 18,299 patients (1.6/patient), divided into 48.5% instrumental, 29.2% medical treatment, and 18.0% "wait and see" (in 4.3% no assignment was possible). Patients treated with an instrumental therapy were oldest (median: 72 years, interquartile range: 66-77), had the largest prostate volumes (50 ml, 35-75 ml), and were mostly bothered by symptoms (International Prostate Symptom Score = 19/4). The majority of patients under medical treatment received alphablockers (56%); phytotherapeutics were used least frequently (3%). Instrumental therapies are dominated by transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate (60.0%), open prostatectomy (9.4%) and laser therapy (5.0%), with laser therapy having the shortest hospital stay (5 days) and the lowest transfusion and re-intervention rates (1.0% and 4.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The DVPZ certificate covers the complete spectrum of cross-sectoral care for LUTS/BPH patients and documents the use of the various therapies as well as their application and effectiveness in the daily routine setting.

Comparative Effectiveness of Transurethral Prostate Procedures at Enabling Urologic Medication Discontinuation: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that transurethral prostate procedures (TUPPs) eliminating tissue result in greater medication discontinuation and lower de novo initiation rates than procedures inducing tissue necrosis. METHODS: Retrospective review of all men undergoing first time TUPPs at a large tertiary center from 2001 to 2016 was completed. Procedure type and urologic medication use before, 3-12 months after, and greater than 12 months after TUPP were analyzed with simple open prostatectomy as a comparator. Tissue-eliminating TUPPs included transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy. Tissue-necrosing procedures included microwave therapy (transurethral microwave therapy) and radiofrequency ablation (transurethral needle ablation), which were grouped in analyses. Medication types were 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI), alpha blockers, anticholinergics, and beta-3 agonists (B3A). RESULTS: A total 5150 TUPPs were analyzed. Preoperative medication use significantly varied across TUPPs for 5ARI (P <.01), alpha-blockers (P .01), and anticholinergics (P .047), but not B3A (P .476). Transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy were associated with significantly higher medication discontinuation rates and lower resumption and initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing procedures. Relative to TUPPs, simple prostatectomy had significantly higher medication discontinuation, as well as the lowest resumption and initiation rates. CONCLUSION: Tissue-eliminating benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures were associated with better medication discontinuation, resumption, and de novo initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures.

Curcumin and α/ß-Adrenergic Antagonists Cotreatment Reverse Liver Cirrhosis in Hamsters: Participation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB.

Liver cirrhosis is the result of an uncontrolled fibrogenetic process, due to the activation and subsequent differentiation into myofibroblasts of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC). It is known that HSC express adrenoreceptors (AR), and the use of AR antagonists protects experimental animals from cirrhosis. However, several studies suggest that the toxicity generated by metabolism of these antagonists would hinder its use in cirrhotic patients. In addition, liver fibrosis may be associated with a decrease of the antioxidant response of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and the overregulation of the proinflammatory pathway of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, in the present work, the capacity of doxazosin (α1 antagonist), carvedilol (nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker with alpha 1-blocking properties), and curcumin (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound) to reverse liver cirrhosis and studying the possible modulation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB were evaluated. Hamsters received CCl4 for 20 weeks, and then treatments were immediately administered for 4 weeks more. The individual administration of doxazosin or carvedilol showed less ability to reverse cirrhosis in relation to concomitantly curcumin administration. However, the best effect was the combined effect of doxazosin, carvedilol, and curcumin, reversing liver fibrosis and decreasing the amount of collagen I (Sirius red stain) without affecting the morphology of hepatocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain), showing normal hepatic function (glucose, albumin, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, and total proteins). In addition, carvedilol treatment and the combination of doxazosin with curcumin increased Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio and its protein expression in the inflammatory cells in the livers, possibly as another mechanism of hepatoprotection. Therefore, these results suggest for the first time that α/ß adrenergic blockers with curcumin completely reverse hepatic damage, possibly as a result of adrenergic antagonism on HSC and conceivably by the increase of Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio.