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Comparison of cernitin pollen extract vs tadalafil therapy for refractory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A randomized, prospective study
Author(s) -
Matsukawa Yoshihisa,
Naito Yushi,
Funahashi Yasuhito,
Ishida Shohei,
Fujita Takashi,
Tochigi Kosuke,
Kato Masashi,
Gotoh Momokazu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.24454
Subject(s) - medicine , tadalafil , chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome , prostatitis , lower urinary tract symptoms , international prostate symptom score , pelvic pain , refractory (planetary science) , urology , erectile dysfunction , randomized controlled trial , prostate , surgery , physics , cancer , astrobiology
Aims To compare the efficacy of cernitin pollen extract (cernitin) or tadalafil for treating persistent chronic pelvic pain despite α1‐blocker monotherapy in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods A total of 100 patients with refractory CP/CPPS despite ongoing α1‐blocker monotherapy were randomized to receive add‐on therapy with either cernitin (4 capsules/day) or tadalafil (5 mg/d) for 12 weeks. At week 12, changes from baseline in the patients’ CP/CPPS, LUTS, and voiding function, as assessed using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetry, respectively, were compared between the groups. Results The final analysis included 42 and 45 patients in the cernitin and tadalafil groups, respectively. Although the NIH‐CPSI total, NIH‐CPSI pain sub‐score, and NIH‐CPSI quality of life sub‐score significantly improved in both groups, the cernitin (vs tadalafil) group showed significantly greater improvements in the NIH‐CPSI total score (−6.8 vs −4.6; P = .02) and NIH‐CPSI pain sub‐score (−4.1 vs −1.5; P < .001). Half (50%) of the patients in the cernitin group showed a reduction greater than 50% in their NIH‐CPSI pain sub‐score; in the tadalafil group, only four patients (8.9%) showed ≥50% improvement ( P < .001). In contrast, the improvement in LUTS was significantly superior in the tadalafil group. Conclusion Both cernitin and tadalafil significantly ameliorated chronic pelvic pain in patients with refractory CP/CPPS. The add‐on of cernitin was more effective than tadalafil for pelvic pain and discomfort.