Newswise — New studies exploring different complimentary and alternative medicine therapies to treat urologic conditions will be the focus of a press briefing during the AUA Annual Scientific Meeting on May 10, 2004 at 11 a.m. in the San Francisco Moscone Center. The session will be moderated by Mark M. Moyad, MD, MPH, a spokesperson for the AUA and senior research associate at the University of Michigan. Featured research will include:
Some Herbal Products for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Contaminated With Pharmacologic ED Treatments: Study found that some products touted as 'herbal' ED treatments are contaminated with a pharmacologic agent (phosphodiesterase inhibitors), an active ingredient in drugs prescribed to treat ED. Therefore, any efficacy these herbal products have could be due to the pharmacologic agent rather than the herbal components. This contamination is a concern given potential drug interactions that could occur. Treatment with Saw Palmetto Effective For Men with Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO): Study showed that treatment with saw palmetto slowed progression rates of BOO in men with mild symptoms, compared to patients on watchful waiting and a group on placebo. Results indicate that phytotherapy may be an option for patients with BOO to improve symptoms, flow rates, quality of life and to reduce the risk of progression. Internet Sites Unsafe for Purchase of Herbal ED Remedies: Study confirms that sites selling herbal ED treatments are unsafe and unreliable. Many sites fail to list contraindications (64%) and drug side effects (79%), and only 21% of sites have medically trained personnel providing information. One of the most common ingredients identified in the study, gingko biloba, has been known to cause bleeding disorders and serous side effects, but most sites referred to ingredients as 'harmless.' Soy Dietary Supplement Slows Risk of Recurrent Prostate Cancer Following Curative Treatment: This preliminary study sought to determine the effectiveness of a soy supplement to slow progression of minimal recurrent prostate cancer in patients identified as having a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Patients had previously undergone either radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Results show that the soy supplement was able to delay PSA progression significantly. Alpha-Blocker Superior to Phytotherapy for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH): A German study examined the efficacy of phytotheraphy verses antibiotic therapy for LUTS/BPH. Phytotherapy is a commonly chosen treatment option by patients in Germany, despite the lack of proven efficacy. The study found that patients who responded poorly to phytotherapy and switched to alpha-blocker therapy experienced a marked improvement and increased quality of life, further supporting use of drug therapy over phytotherapy for this condition."For some urologic diseases and conditions, alternative medicine, herbal remedies or lifestyle changes may be warranted if existing research supports it," said Dr. Moyad. "However, patients should be cautioned to pursue these treatments under the care and supervision of a physician who can monitor progress, and can prescribe an alternate course of action if the alternative therapy is not effective."
Full abstracts are available online at http://www.aua2004.org/annualmeeting/pressroom/featured_research.cfm.
About the American Urological AssociationFounded in 1902 and headquartered outside Baltimore, MD, the AUA is the preeminent professional organization for urologists. The AUA pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care by carrying out a wide variety of programs for its members. The AUA also offers http://UrologyHealth.org, a patient education resource developed by member experts.
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