-
The Prostate May 2022It is a common practice to control efficacy of pharmacological treatment with a placebo group. However, placebo itself may affect subjective and even objective results.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
It is a common practice to control efficacy of pharmacological treatment with a placebo group. However, placebo itself may affect subjective and even objective results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the placebo effect on symptoms of CP/CPPS to improve future clinical trials.
METHODS
A search at three databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) was conducted to identify double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials on the treatment of CP/CPPS published until April 2021. The primary outcome - National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score.
SECONDARY OUTCOMES
Qmax, PVR, IPSS, and prostate volume.
RESULTS
A total of 3502 studies were identified. Placebo arms of 42 articles (5512 patients, median 31 patients) were included in the systematic review. Systematic review identified positive changes in the primary endpoint, meta-analysis of 10 articles found that NIH-CPSI total score results were significantly influenced by placebo, mean difference -4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -6.31, -2.09). Mean difference of NIH-CPSI pain domain was -2.31 (95% CI: -3.4, -1.21), urinary domain -1.12 (95% CI: -1.62, -0.62), quality of life domain -1.67 (95% CI: -2.38, -0.96); p < 0.001 for all. In case of the objective indicator - Qmax, there were three articles included in the meta-analysis. Qmax mean change from baseline was 0.68 (95% CI: -0.85, 2.22, p = 0.38). Systematic review showed no significant changes in pain, measured by VAS or other scores, IPSS and PVR.
CONCLUSIONS
Placebo significantly affected the subjective parameters (NIH-CPSI) and limitedly affected various other measurements of pain (visual analog scale, McGill pain questionnaire). There was no long-term effect on IPSS and objective measurements (Qmax, PVR). This study can be used in further clinical trials to develop general rules of CPPS treatment assessment.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Chronic Pain; Humans; Male; Pelvic Pain; Placebo Effect; Prostatitis; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35133667
DOI: 10.1002/pros.24311 -
Journal of Cancer 2020: No consensus has been reached on the definite associations among prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Hence, this meta-analysis...
: No consensus has been reached on the definite associations among prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Hence, this meta-analysis was conducted to explore their triadic relation by summarizing epidemiological evidence. : Systematical and comprehensive retrieval of online databases PubMed, PMC, EMBASE and Web of Science was performed to acquire eligible studies, up to April 1st, 2019. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to clarify their correlations. : A total of 42 studies were enrolled in the quality assessment and 35 were finally included in the meta-analyses. Among them, 27 studies were included to describe the association between prostatitis and PCa (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.44-2.06, =90.1%, <0.001). 21 studies presented significant evidence about the relation between BPH and PCa (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.75-2.88, =97.1%, <0.001). Due to the huge heterogeneity among studies, those with obvious outliers were excluded based on the Galbraith plots. Ultimately, 17 studies were screened out to assess the association between prostatitis and PCa (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.48-1.70, =29.4%, =0.123). Meanwhile, 8 studies were retained to evaluate the association between BPH and PCa (OR=3.10, 95% CI=2.87-3.35, =8.4%, =0.365). As for the relation between prostatitis and BPH, a case-control study and a cohort study both supported that prostatitis could enhance the risk of BPH. : Significant correlations were revealed among prostatitis, BPH and PCa. Prostatitis or BPH could lead to escalating risks of PCa. Meanwhile, people with a history of prostatitis might be more vulnerable to BPH.
PubMed: 31892984
DOI: 10.7150/jca.37235 -
European Urology Focus Sep 2023Office-based treatments are increasingly offered as an optional step to replace medical treatment or delay surgery for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Office-based treatments are increasingly offered as an optional step to replace medical treatment or delay surgery for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Nevertheless, little is known regarding the risks of retreatment.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the current evidence regarding retreatment rates after water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT), prostatic urethral lift (PUL), and temporarily implanted nitinol device (iTIND) procedures.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A literature search was conducted up to June 2022 using the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to identify eligible studies. The primary outcomes were the rates of pharmacologic and surgical retreatment during follow-up.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 36 studies including 6380 patients met our inclusion criteria. Surgical and minimally invasive retreatment rates were generally well reported in the studies included and reached up to 5% after 3 yr of follow-up for iTIND, and up to 4% for WVTT and 13% for PUL after 5 yr of follow-up. The types and rates of pharmacologic retreatment are poorly reported in the literature, with the latter reaching up to 7% after 3 yr of follow-up for iTIND, and up to 11% after 5 yr of follow-up for WVTT and PUL. The main limitations of our review are the unclear to high risk of bias in most of the studies included and the lack of long-term (>5 yr) data on retreatment risks.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results highlight the low retreatment rates at mid-term follow-up after office-based treatments for LUTS, supporting the development of these strategies as an intermediate step between BPH medication and conventional surgery. Pending more robust data with longer follow-up, these results should be used to improve patient information and facilitate shared decision-making.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Our review highlights the low risk of mid-term retreatment after office-based treatments for benign enlargement of the prostate that is affecting urinary function. For well-selected patients, these results support the increasing use of office-based treatment as an intermediate option before conventional surgery.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostate; Retreatment; Urethra; Prostheses and Implants; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
PubMed: 36906484
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2023.03.004 -
JAMA Jan 2011Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is common, but trial evidence is conflicting and therapeutic options are controversial. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is common, but trial evidence is conflicting and therapeutic options are controversial.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing mean symptom scores and treatment response among α-blockers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, other active drugs (phytotherapy, glycosaminoglycans, finasteride, and neuromodulators), and placebo.
DATA SOURCES
We searched MEDLINE from 1949 and EMBASE from 1974 to November 16, 2010, using the PubMed and Ovid search engines.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials comparing drug treatments in CP/CPPS patients.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two reviewers independently extracted mean symptom scores, quality-of-life measures, and response to treatment between treatment groups. Standardized mean difference and random-effects methods were applied for pooling continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. A longitudinal mixed regression model was used for network meta-analysis to indirectly compare treatment effects.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Twenty-three of 262 studies identified were eligible. Compared with placebo, α-blockers were associated with significant improvement in symptoms with standardized mean differences in total symptom, pain, voiding, and quality-of-life scores of -1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.8 to -0.6), -1.1 (95% CI, -1.8 to -0.3), -1.4 (95% CI, -2.3 to -0.5), and -1.0 (95% CI, -1.8 to -0.2), respectively. Patients receiving α-blockers or anti-inflammatory medications had a higher chance of favorable response compared with placebo, with pooled RRs of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.3) and 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2-2.6), respectively. Contour-enhanced funnel plots suggested the presence of publication bias for smaller studies of α-blocker therapies. The network meta-analysis suggested benefits of antibiotics in decreasing total symptom scores (-9.8; 95% CI, -15.1 to -4.6), pain scores (-4.4; 95% CI, -7.0 to -1.9), voiding scores (-2.8; 95% CI, -4.1 to -1.6), and quality-of-life scores (-1.9; 95% CI, -3.6 to -0.2) compared with placebo. Combining α-blockers and antibiotics yielded the greatest benefits compared with placebo, with corresponding decreases of -13.8 (95% CI, -17.5 to -10.2) for total symptom scores, -5.7 (95% CI, -7.8 to -3.6) for pain scores, -3.7 (95% CI, -5.2 to -2.1) for voiding, and -2.8 (95% CI, -4.7 to -0.9) for quality-of-life scores.
CONCLUSIONS
α-Blockers, antibiotics, and combinations of these therapies appear to achieve the greatest improvement in clinical symptom scores compared with placebo. Anti-inflammatory therapies have a lesser but measurable benefit on selected outcomes. However, beneficial effects of α-blockers may be overestimated because of publication bias.
Topics: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chronic Disease; Humans; Male; Pelvic Pain; Placebos; Prostatitis; Publication Bias; Quality of Life; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Urination
PubMed: 21205969
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2010.1913 -
International Braz J Urol : Official... 2023To review and compare the effectivity of novel minimally invasive treatments (MITs) to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of lower urinary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To review and compare the effectivity of novel minimally invasive treatments (MITs) to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men.
METHODS
Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2010 to December 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating MITs, compared to TURP or sham, in men with LUTS. Studies were assessed by risk of bias tool, and evidence by GRADE. Functional outcomes by means of uroflowmetry and IPSS were the primary outcomes, safety and sexual function were secondary outcomes. As part of this review, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted. MITs were ranked based on functional outcome improvement probability.
RESULTS
In total, 10 RCTs were included, evaluating aquablation, prostatic urethral lift, prostatic artery embolization (PAE), convective water vapor thermal treatment or temporary implantable nitinol device. All MITs showed a better safety profile compared to TURP. Functional outcome improvement following aquablation were comparable to TURP. In the NMA, aquablation was ranked highest, PAE followed with the second highest probability to improve functional outcomes. Other novel MITs resulted in worse functional outcomes compared to TURP. Level of evidence was low to very low.
CONCLUSIONS
Five MITs for treatment of LUTS were identified. Aquablation is likely to result in functional outcomes most comparable to TURP. Second in ranking was PAE, a technique that does not require general or spinal anesthesia. MITs have a better safety profile compared to TURP. However, due to high study heterogeneity, results should be interpreted with caution.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Network Meta-Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Prostate; Transurethral Resection of Prostate; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
PubMed: 37267609
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2023.0016 -
The Journal of International Medical... Aug 2023Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard classical method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In minimally invasive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard classical method for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In minimally invasive surgery, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is considered an alternative option. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of TURP and HoLEP the treating BPH. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for all randomized controlled trials published before 1 December 2022 comparing HoLEP and TURP. The study protocol is registered on INPLASY (DOI: 10.37766/inplasy2023.5.0065). Compared with TURP, HoLEP required longer operation time but shorter catheter duration, hospital stay, and bladder irrigation time, as well as less postoperative irrigation. With HoLEP, maximum urinary flow rate at 12 and 24 months after surgery; post-void residual volume at 1, 6, and 12 months; and International Prostate Symptom Score at 12 months after surgery were superior to those with TURP. HoLEP was associated with significantly lower risk of hyponatremia, blood transfusion, and urethral stricture but greater risk of postoperative dysuria. Compared with TURP, HoLEP had better curative efficacy at 6, 12, and 24 months after operation and lower incidence of adverse events in patients with BPH.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate; Transurethral Resection of Prostate; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Lasers, Solid-State; Laser Therapy; Holmium; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37561537
DOI: 10.1177/03000605231190763 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence May 2008Chronic prostatitis can cause pain and urinary symptoms, and usually occurs without positive bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions (known as chronic abacterial... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Chronic prostatitis can cause pain and urinary symptoms, and usually occurs without positive bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions (known as chronic abacterial prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, CP/CPPS). Bacterial infection can result from urinary tract instrumentation, but the cause and natural history of CP/CPPS are unknown.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of treatments for chronic bacterial prostatitis? What are the effects of treatments for chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to August 2007 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found 30 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, allopurinol, alpha-blockers, biofeedback, local injections of antimicrobial drugs, mepartricin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral antimicrobial drugs, pentosan polysulfate, prostatic massage, quercetin, radical prostatectomy, sitz baths, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, and transurethral resection.
Topics: Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; Humans; Male; Prostatitis
PubMed: 19450305
DOI: No ID Found -
Current Medical Research and Opinion 2015Prostatitis is a common disease in urology departments. Prostatic zinc accumulation is connected with the secretory function of the prostate, and zinc concentrations... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Prostatitis is a common disease in urology departments. Prostatic zinc accumulation is connected with the secretory function of the prostate, and zinc concentrations present in prostatic diseases differ greatly from the normal level. Studies have investigated the effect of chronic prostatitis on zinc concentration of prostatic fluid and seminal plasma, but have shown inconsistent results. Hence, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of chronic prostatitis on the zinc concentration of prostatic fluid and seminal plasma.
METHODS
Systematic literature searches were conducted with PubMed, Embase, Science Direct/Elsevier, CNKI and the Cochrane Library up to March 2015 for case-control studies that involved the relationship between chronic prostatitis and zinc concentration of prostatic fluid and seminal plasma. Meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager and Stata software. Standard mean differences (SMDs) of zinc concentration were identified with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) in a random- or fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
Our results illustrated that the zinc concentrations in prostatic fluid and seminal plasma from chronic prostatitis patients were significantly lower than normal controls (SMD [95% CI] -246.71 [-347.97, -145.44], -20.74 [-35.11, -6.37], respectively).
LIMITATIONS
The sample size of each study was relatively small, and a total of 731 chronic prostatitis patients and 574 normal controls were investigated in all fourteen studies. Several studies related to the subject were excluded due to lack of control data or means and standard deviations.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study illustrates that there was a significant negative effect of chronic prostatitis on zinc concentrations of prostatic fluid and seminal plasma. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better illuminate the negative impact of chronic prostatitis on zinc concentrations.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Humans; Male; Prostate; Prostatitis; Semen; Zinc
PubMed: 26173049
DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2015.1072707 -
Learning curves in laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery: a systematic search and review.World Journal of Urology Apr 2022To perform a systematic search and review of the available literature on the learning curves (LCs) in laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To perform a systematic search and review of the available literature on the learning curves (LCs) in laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery.
METHODS
Medline was systematically searched from 1946 to January 2021 to detect all studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, reporting on the LC in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP), robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RSP).
RESULTS
In total, 47 studies were included for qualitative synthesis evaluating a single technique (LRP, RARP, LSP, RSP; 45 studies) or two techniques (LRP and RARP; 2 studies). All studies evaluated outcomes on real patients. RARP was the most widely investigated technique (30 studies), followed by LRP (17 studies), LSP (1 study), and RSP (1 study). In LRP, the reported LC based on operative time; estimated blood loss; length of hospital stay; positive surgical margin; biochemical recurrence; overall complication rate; and urinary continence rate ranged 40-250, 80-250, 58-200, 50-350, 110-350, 55-250, 70-350 cases, respectively. In RARP, the corresponding ranges were 16-300, 20-300, 25-200, 50-400, 40-100, 20-250, 30-200, while LC for potency rates was 80-90 cases.
CONCLUSIONS
The definition of LC for laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostate surgery is not well defined with various metrics used among studies. Nevertheless, LCs appear to be steep and continuous. Implementation of training programs/standardization of the techniques is necessary to improve outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Laparoscopy; Learning Curve; Male; Prostate; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Robotics; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34480591
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-021-03815-1 -
World Journal of Urology Apr 2023To investigate and assess outcomes, complications, and functional results amongst different modifications of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Peri- and post-operative outcomes, complications, and functional results amongst different modifications of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
To investigate and assess outcomes, complications, and functional results amongst different modifications of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP).
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA checklist. We searched the Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases. We included only randomised-controlled trials (RCT) comparing modifications of EEPs and assessed the risk of bias (RoB).
RESULTS
Seven RCTs were included in the study. Overall, 1266 patients were treated with Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and 80 patients with thulium laser vapo-enucleation of the prostate (ThuVEP). The operative time during pulse shape-modified HoLEP was shorter when compared to standard pulse HoLEP (MD 18.08 min, 95% CI 8.11-28.05 min, p = 0.0004). The decrease in haemoglobin was significantly lower for two-lobe HoLEP when compared to three-lobe HoLEP (MD 0.16 g/dl, 95% CI 0.22-0.1 g/dl, p < 0.00001). Virtual Basket (VB) HoLEP showed a smaller haemoglobin decrease when compared to standard pulse HoLEP (1.12 ± 1.78 vs. 2.54 ± 1.23 g/dl, p = 0.03). When directly comparing one- vs. two- vs. three-lobe HoLEP, surgical time (p < 0.001) and enucleation efficiency (p = 0.006) were significantly different and favouring one- and two-lobe HoLEP in the study with the largest patient population included. No significant differences for complications were observed; however, Clavien-Dindo IVa events were reported for two patients.
CONCLUSION
All variations of EEP improve symptoms and functional parameters with a low incidence of high-grade complications. One- and two-lobe approaches and pulse shape-modified HoLEP seem to be beneficial in terms of operative time and blood loss.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Treatment Outcome; Lasers, Solid-State; Endoscopy; Transurethral Resection of Prostate; Laser Therapy; Holmium
PubMed: 36752853
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04308-z