Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) etiology remains poorly understood, but chronic low-grade inflammation plays a role. Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field therapy (PEMF) (1-50Hz) are effective in reducing tissue inflammation.
We designed a pilot study to evaluate the effects of PEMF on prostate volume (PV) in BPH.
This is a prospective interventional trial on 27 naïve patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). At baseline (V ), all patients had blood tests, trans-rectal ultrasound, questionnaires (IPSS, IIEF) and received a perineal PEMF device (Magcell Microcirc, Physiomed Elektromedizin) to deliver 5 minutes twice daily for 28 days(V ), when all baseline evaluations were repeated. Afterwards, 9 patients continued therapy for 3 more months (PT group) and 15 discontinued (FU group). A 4 months evaluation (V ) was performed in both groups.
A reduction was observed both at V and V in PV: PV 44.5mL (38.0;61.6) vs PV 42.1mL (33.7;61.5,p=0.039) vs PV 41.7mL (32.7;62.8,p=0.045). IPSS was reduced both at V and V : IPSS 11 (5.7;23.2) vs IPSS 10 (6;16,p=0.045) vs IPSS 9 (6;14,p=0.015). Baseline IPSS was related with IPSS reduction both at V (r =0.313;p=0.003) and V (r =0.664;p<0.001). PV reduction in patients without metabolic syndrome (ΔPV -4.7 mL,95%CI -7.3;-2.0) was greater than in affected patients (ΔPV 1.7 mL,95%CI -2.69;6.1)(p=0.017,Relative Risk =6). No changes were found in gonadal hormones or sexual function.
PEMF were able to reduce PV after 28 days of therapy. Symptoms improves in a short time, with no effects on hormonal and sexual function, high compliance and without side-effects. Patients with moderate-severe LUTS and without MetS seem to benefit more from this treatment.
PEMF reduces PV and improves LUTS in a relative short time, in BPH patients. These benefits seem greater in those patients with moderate-severe LUTS but without MetS.

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