WS PRO 160 I 120 mg (a combination of sabal and urtica extract) in patients with LUTS related to BPH.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by prostatic enlargement are a common impairing condition in men aged 50 years and older. In the management of LUTS related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), medication, particularly by α-adrenoceptor antagonists, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and phytopharmaceuticals, is considered the first-line therapy. Despite their popularity, a number of adverse effects on the cardiovascular or cognitive systems have been reported for some of the synthetic drugs. One of the promising herbal preparations for the treatment of patients suffering from LUTS related to BPH is WS PRO 160 I 120 mg, a combination of sabal fruit extract and urtica root extract. METHODS: This review of the literature summarizes clinical evidence for WS PRO 160 I 120 mg derived from four randomized placebo- or reference-controlled double-blind clinical trials including men aged 50 years and older. In all trials, symptomatic improvement was evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) total score. RESULTS: Treatment effects of WS PRO 160 I 120 mg were shown to be superior over placebo and comparable with the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride or the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin with more favorable tolerability and safety profiles as compared with the reference drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest WS PRO 160 I 120 mg to be considered as a valid alternative in the treatment of patients with early BPH, especially with view to sexual function and a good quality of life, especially in long-term use.

Development and initial psychometric properties of the 'ICIQ-Cog': a new assessment tool to measure the disease-related impact and care effort associated with incontinence in cognitively impaired adults.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a new assessment tool, the ICIQ-Cog, to measure the disease-related impact of incontinence in cognitively impaired adults and the effort associated with the care of this population, and to present the initial psychometric properties of this tool and outline the possible clinical implications. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The ICIQ-Cog consists of two scales: a 12-item scale measuring disease-specific bother (ICIQ-Cog-P) and a four-item scale assessing efforts associated with care of people with incontinence and cognitive impairment (ICIQ-Cog-C). Data on 60 nursing home residents with incontinence and cognitive impairment were obtained in a test-retest research design. The psychometric properties of the ICIQ-Cog were examined using a combination of classic and item response theory methods. RESULTS: Factor analyses resulted in a three-factor solution for the ICIQ-Cog-P, with interrelated factors. Rasch analysis showed a good model fit when collapsing response categories. The ICIQ-Cog-C fitted to one dimension. The ICIQ-Cog tool provided reliable measures in terms of internal consistency (0.69-0.82) and retest reliability (0.71-0.83). The preliminary results on external validity showed that the ICIQ-Cog assessed disease-specific aspects linked to the group of cognitively impaired people with incontinence. CONCLUSION: The ICIQ-Cog tool has appropriate psychometric and clinometric properties and is therefore useful for making decisions about treatment in cognitively impaired adults with incontinence.

Registry of implants for the reconstruction of pelvic floor in males and females: A feasibility case series.

INTRODUCTION: Most aspects of implant-assisted reconstruction of pelvic floor in males and females are under debate and the research is not standardized. Registries are supposed to shed light to the indications, surgical techniques and material properties and to establish a standardized evaluation. METHODS: A working group was formed to create an online platform for registration and outcome measurement of implant-assisted operations for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and female and male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 20 patients with modified mesh materials were evaluated over 23 months follow up in the registry to prove the feasibility of the registry. For validation a previously published modified "satisfaction, anatomy, continence, safety - S.(A.)C.S score" was used. RESULTS: A consensus was met on definitions and classifications of patient variables, surgical procedures and implants, as well as outcome parameters (efficacy, continence, satisfaction, complications). Different subgroup modules were formed in accordance with treated condition. The maximum score of cure was reached by 25-100% of patients depending on the indication. CONCLUSION: A prospective registry in accordance with IDEAL-D framework is justified for the evaluation and regulation of implants for pelvic floor reconstruction.