Efficacy and Tolerability of Treatment With Alfalitic Plus Serenoa Repens Compared to Alfalitic Plus Antimuscarinic for Moderate-severe Mixed Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Results of a Cross-sectional Clinical Study

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult men. LUTS/BPH can be very bothersome and impair the quality of life (QoL) of affected men and their partners. Furthermore, LUTS also negatively impact patients' work productivity, being a major cause of absence from work and medical appointments. The prevalence of LUTS/BPH increases with age, making them increasingly common conditions in the Western world.

Standard medical treatments for patients with LUTS/BPH include alpha-blockers (ABs), 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and antimuscarinics. Serenoa repens (HESr) supplements are also recommended as a therapeutic option in international LUTS guidelines. In particular, Serenoa repens has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and muscle relaxant effects that can counteract the effects of BPH. Historically, ABs have been used as first-line therapy for voiding LUTS, while antimuscarinics are effective for irritative LUTS. However, most patients often present with mixed LUTS and therefore require combination therapy. Recent studies have shown that the combination of AB + Serenoa was non-inferior to therapy with AB + 5ARI in improving LUTS, producing fewer side effects. In particular, Serenoa was also seen to be effective in improving irritative symptoms. However, no studies have compared therapy with AB + Serenoa to AB + antimuscarinics in patients with mixed LUTS due to BPH.