title: Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on benign prostate hyperplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) has been treated with various types of electromagnetic radiation methods such as transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), interstitial laser therapy (ILC), holmium laser resection (HoLRP). In the present study, the effects of a noninvasive method based on the exposure of patients with BPH to a pulsative EM Field at radiofrequencies have been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with BPH, aging 68-78 years old (y.o), were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (10 patients, 74.0 ± 5.7 y.o) treated with the α-blocker Alfusosin, 10 mg/24 h for at least 4 weeks, and the electromagnetic group (10 patients, 73.7 ± 6.3 y.o) exposed for 2 weeks in a very short wave duration, pulsed electromagnetic field at radiofrequencies generated by an ion magnetic inductor, for 30 min daily, 5 consecutive days per week. Patients of both groups were evaluated before and after drug and EMF treatment by values of total PSA and prostatic PSA fraction, acid phosphate, U/S estimation of prostate volume and urine residue, urodynamic estimation of urine flow rate, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant decrease before and after treatment of IPSS (P < 0.02), U/S prostate volume (P < 0.05), and urine residue (P < 0.05), as well as of mean urine flow rate (P < 0.05) in patients of the electromagnetic group, in contrast to the treatment group who had only improved IPSS (P < 0.05). There was also a significant improvement in clinical symptoms in patients of the electromagnetic group. Follow-up of the patients of this group for one year revealed that results obtained by EMFs treatment are still remaining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulsed electromagnetic field at radiofrequencies may benefit patients with benign prostate hyperplasia treated by a non-invasive method.
authors.affiliation: Urological Clinic, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Xenophon K
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giotis
authors.forename: Spyridon Ch
authors.initials: SCh
authors.lastname: Karkabounas
authors.forename: Ioannis I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Verginadis
authors.forename: Yannis V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Simos
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peschos
authors.forename: Angelos M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Evangelou
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D053448:Prostatism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D011799:Quinazolines; C047638:alfuzosin; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen