Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia with beta-sitosterol: an 18-month follow-up.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the long-term effects of phytotherapy with beta-sitosterol (the trade name for beta-sitosterol used in this study is Harzol(R)) for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patient and methods At 18 months after enrolment in a 6-month multicentre double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with beta-sitosterol (reported previously), patients were re-evaluated using the modified Boyarsky score, the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality-of-life index, the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR). In this open extension of the original trial (after 6 months of treatment or placebo), patients were free to chose their further treatment for BPH.

RESULTS:

In all, 117 patients (59%) were eligible for analysis during the follow-up. Of the formerbeta-sitosterol group, 38 patients who continued beta-sitosterol treatment had stable values for all outcome variables between the end of the double-blind study and after 18 months of follow-up. The 41 patients choosing no further therapy had slightly worse symptom scores and PVR, but no changes in Qmax. Of the former placebo group, 27 patients who started beta-sitosterol after the double-blind trial improved to the same extent as the treated group for all outcome variables. The 18 patients choosing no further therapy showed no signs of improvement.

CONCLUSION:

The beneficial effects of beta-sitosterol treatment recorded in the 6-month double-blind trial were maintained for 18 months. Further clinical trials should be conducted to confirm these results before concluding that phytotherapy with beta-sitosterol is effective.

• Authors: R R Berges, A Kassen, T Senge
• Journal: BJU international (BJU Int) Vol. 85 Issue 7 Pg. 842-6 (May 2000) ISSN: 1464-4096 [Print] England
• PMID: 10792163 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Sitosterols
• gamma-sitosterol

Topics

• Double-Blind Method
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Prostatic Hyperplasia (blood, drug therapy)
• Quality of Life
• Sitosterols (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome