Effect | None |
Values | Weighted mean difference versus placebo was insignificant (-0.16 for IPSS/AUASI scores, 0.40 mL/s for maximum urinary flow rates) for medium- and long-term trials |
Trial Design | Meta analysis |
Trial Length | n/a |
Number of Subjects | 2008 |
Sex | Male |
Age Range | 45-64, 65+ |
17 randomized trials of saw palmetto monotherapy in mostly white men with BPH were examined with study lengths ranging from 4-72 weeks. Saw palmetto was found to be no better than placebo for reducing lower urinary tract symptoms or maximum urinary flow rate. A long-term study found no effect on nighttime urination frequency, but pooling shorter-term studies found a reduction in frequency of 0.79 times per night on average, although the studies were heterogeneous. Adverse events were not statistically different from placebo.Funding issues for this study:
None