Flower Pollen Extract in Association with Vitamins (Deprox 500(®)) Versus Serenoa repens in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Comparative Analysis of Two Different Treatments

OBJECTIVE: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is re-ported in the literature ranging from 1 to 14.2%. The aim of the present study was to as-sess the impact on patient’s quality of life and symptoms of Flower pollen extract in asso-ciation with vitamins (Deprox 500®) in comparison with Serenoa repens 320 mg (Permix-on 320 mg® by Pierre Fabre) in patients with CP/CPPS. METHODOLOGY: All consecutive patients, with a diagnosis of CP/CPPS, referred to our center from January to August 2016, were screened to be enrolled in this single-center, random-ized, controlled trial. The main outcome measure was the evaluation of IPSS/NIH-CPSI (International Prostatic Symptom Score/NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) score variation and the assessment of the quality of life and symptoms at the end of the thera-py. The second outcome measure was the evaluation of the comorbidity role in the CP/CPPS therapy. 63 patients were analyzed; patients were randomized into two groups: 29 patients were treated with Deprox 500® 2 tablets/day for 6 weeks and 34 patients with Serenoa repens 320 mg, 1 tablet/day for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The mean score variation for IPSS was -12.7 ± 4.3 in the Deprox 500® group and -7.8 ± 4.7 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.0005) while for NIH-CPSI was -17.3±3.1 in the Deprox 500® group and -13.6±4.8 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.0016). By ac-counting only the symptoms part of NIH-CPSI questionnaire, the mean score variation reported was -11.5±2.5 in the Deprox 500® group and -9.02±4.0 in the Serenoa repens group (p=0.009321). Furthermore, analyzing the comorbidity subgroups, in patients with hypertension, the mean IPSS score variation was -14.3±3.2 in the Deprox 500® group and -9.02±4.0 in the Serenoa repens group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in patients with CP/CPPS, Deprox 500® improves IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores up to 74.5% and 84.5% respectively. Furthermore, in patients with hypertension, the antioxidant effect of Deprox 500® reduces the mean IPSS score of 82.7%.