title: Serenoa repens extract additionally to quinolones in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The preliminary results of a long term observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic prostatitis displays a variety of symptoms (mainly local pain exhibiting variability in origin and intensity). The purpose of this article is to briefly present the preliminary results of our study examining the role of phytotherapeutic agents in the treatment of chronic prostatitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included in total fifty-six consecutive patients who visited the outpatient department. Subjects were randomized into two groups. Subjects in the first group (28 patients) received prulifloxacin 600 mg for 15 days, while subjects in the second group (28 patients) received prulifloxacin 600 mg for 15 days and Serenoa repens extract for 8 weeks. The response was tested using laboratory and clinical criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding pain regression and no statistically significant regarding bacterial eradication. Moreover however while sexual dysfunction improvement was equally achieved in both groups, improvement of urinary symptoms was more evident in the 2nd group especially after the completion of the antibiotic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serenoa repens extract for 8 weeks seems to improve prostatitis related pain. Further randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to substantiate safer conclusions.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Tzaneio Hospital, Pireas. stamatiouk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stamatiou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pierris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028024:Serenoa; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D015363:Quinolones