AUA 2004 - Permixon (Serenoa repens aka Saw Palmetto)

[webslave]

Program#/Poster#: 233

Presentation Title:
PROSPECTIVE PLACEBO-CONTROLLED MULTICENTER TRIAL ON SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF PHYTOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME

Presentation Time: 5/8/2004 4:40:00 PM

Author Block: Andreas Reissigl, Bob Djavan, Josef Pointner, Jurgen Brunner, Stefan Obwexer, Michael Marberger. lkh bregenz, Bregenz, Austria, univ vienna, Vienna, Austria

Introduction and Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety endpoints in patients with
chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (cathegory III A/B CP/CPPS) treated with Serenoa repens.

Methods:
Men with Category IIIA/B chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome were prospectively enrolled in 2 institutions and randomized to Permixon and matched with a placebo-control group. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The response to therapy was evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks, 6 mo, 12mo and 18 mo after treatment based on efficacy parameters including Patients Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), the total NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), the pain, voiding and quality of life/impact domains of the CPSI, safety data, PSA and prostate volume.

Results:
142 patients were enrolled ( 72 Permixon; 70 control group).. By 12 and 18mo, 76.4% and 71,8%,in the active group (serenoa repens) had at least mild improvement (35-50% improvement) of the SGA and NIH-CPSI versus, 24,3 and 18,5 % in the control group. Furthermore, 55.7% and 52.6% reportet moderate or marked improvement (50% or greater improvement) versus 18.8% and 14,7%, respectively, of patients in the control group.
At 18 mo, 68,4%, 56,6% and 54.7% of patients in the active group demonstrated a 50% or greater improvement in IPSS, Qmax and QOL score, respectively, compared with 15.2%, 9.1% and 11,6%, respectively, in the control group. Overall, a 30% reduction of the NIH-CPSI score was observed in the active grooup versus 6.3% in the control group. Prostate volume did not change significantly in both groups. However, PSA decreased by 18% in the active group at 18 mo.whereas, PSA did not differ from Baseline in the control group.

Conclusions:
This multicenter study suggests that Permixon may provide clinical benefit in patients with Category IIIA/B CPPS. A moderate/marked improvement of the SGA and NIH-CPSI is observed in over 60% of patients. The decrease in serum PSA in CP/CPPS patients treated with Serenoa repens (not observed in men with BPH) suggests a different action pathway.

[one day...]

OK, so now, as our current thinking of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a muscle disorder, does this study suggest that it is the prostate that is causing the trouble? This seems to go along with DHT theory... Or does Saw Palmetto relax the muscles around our prostate? This study bothers me because I think it does not go along with my current protocol, and thinking. I have tried this herb, and it does work wonders for urinary function, but I stopped because it put my libido in the toilet.

[webslave]

Please read https://ucpps.men/pelvi ... pathy.html

[scotsman]

Excellent description Mark

[one day...]

I think, Mark, that the studysuggests that saw palmetto helps people with prostatitis. Meaning, people with urinary infection, or problems with voiding?? Do you personaly use, or suggest that saw palmetto is worth a look for some of us?

[webslave]

We are all so genetically different that yes, we should investigate until we find something that helps.

[alphacentauri]

PROSPECTIVE PLACEBO-CONTROLLED MULTICENTER TRIAL ON SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF PHYTOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME

After reading the study, I've decided to give saw palmetto another try (I used it in the past). For the past 3-4 weeks, I've been using a supplement called 'Saw Palmetto and Pygeum Complex' from the Vitamin Shoppe. Each capsule contains 160mg of saw palmetto & 125mg of pygeum. It has other ingredients as well. I take 2 capsules a day.

Has anyone tried this particular combination to any effect or has any comments on it?

BTW, I've never noticed any effects on libido from SP. And if anyone's using Quercetin, note that the new formula also contains SP, though they keep the exact amount a mystery.