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 (V0 ), 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(V1 ), 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 (V2 ) was performed in both groups.
A reduction was observed both at V1 and V2 in PV: PVV0 44.5mL (38.0;61.6) vs PVV1 42.1mL (33.7;61.5,p=0.039) vs PVV2 41.7mL (32.7;62.8,p=0.045). IPSS was reduced both at V1 and V2 : IPSSV0 11 (5.7;23.2) vs IPSSV1 10 (6;16,p=0.045) vs IPSSV2 9 (6;14,p=0.015). Baseline IPSS was related with IPSS reduction both at V1 (rs =0.313;p=0.003) and V2 (rs =0.664;p<0.001). PV reduction in patients without metabolic syndrome (ΔPVV1nMetS -4.7 mL,95%CI -7.3;-2.0) was greater than in affected patients (ΔPVV1MetS 1.7 mL,95%CI -2.69;6.1)(p=0.017,Relative RiskMetS =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.
Andrology. 2020 Feb 23 [Epub ahead of print]
Marta Tenuta, Maria Grazia Tarsitano, Paola Mazzotta, Livia Lucchini, Franz Sesti, Giorgio Fattorini, Carlotta Pozza, Valerio Olivieri, Fabio Naro, Daniele Gianfrilli, Andrea Lenzi, Andrea M Isidori, Riccardo Pofi
Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy., Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.