Updated meta-analysis of clinical trials of Serenoa repens extract in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

P. Boyle, C. Robertson, F. Lowe, C. Roehrborn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

115 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine, by analysing all available clinical trial data, the clinical efficacy against placebo of an extract from the fruit of the American dwarf palm tree, Serenoa repens (Permixon®, Pierre Fabre Médicament, Castres, France), as there is controversy about the use of phytotherapeutic agents in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: All clinical trial data published on Permixon, comprising 14 randomized clinical trials and three open-label trials, involving 4280 patients, were analysed. These trials were of different size (22-1100 patients) and duration (21-720 days). The peak urinary flow rate and nocturia were the two common endpoints. The statistical analysis was based on a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Permixon was associated with a mean (SEM) reduction in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 4.78 (0.41). The mean placebo effect on peak urinary flow rate was an increase of 1.20 (0.49) mL/s. The estimated effect of Permixon was a further increase of 1.02 (0.50) mL/s (P= 0.042). Placebo was associated with a reduction in the mean number of nocturnal voids of 0.63 (0.14); there was a further reduction attributable to Permixon of 0.38 (0.07) (P < 0.001). There was some heterogeneity among the studies for nocturia; one over 2 years involving 396 patients and showing no difference between placebo and Permixon had a large effect on the results. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of all available published trials of Permixon for treating men with BPH showed a significant improvement in peak flow rate and reduction in nocturia above placebo, and a 5-point reduction in the IPSS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)751-756
Number of pages6
JournalBJU International
Volume93
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • BPH
  • Clinical trials
  • Imputation
  • Maximum flow
  • Meta-analysis
  • Nocturia
  • Permixon
  • Random effects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology

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