Phytotherapeutic agents in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms: A demographic analysis of awareness and use at the University of Chicago

Objectives. To assess awareness and use of phytotherapeutic agents in treat ing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods. A survey was conducted of 1280 patients presenting to the Universi ty of Chicago Hospitals urology clinic. The questions pertained to age, rac e, educational level, and use of prescription and nonprescription medicatio ns for urinary symptoms. Results. Of 1264 patients filling out the surveys correctly, the 51 to 60-y ear-old age range demonstrated the greatest percentage of use of these agen ts. Whites were nearly twice as likely as their African American counterpar ts to use medicinal botanicals. Men with college or graduate school degrees were 1.5 times as likely to use medicinal botanicals in treating LUTS. Mor e than 50% of men using phytotherapeutic drugs were also taking prescriptio n medications for the urinary symptoms. Conclusions. There is significant use of phytotherapeutic agents in men wit h LUTS, although there is variability in their use between patient groups. American physicians need some understanding of these agents to best advise and treat their patients. UROLOGY 54: 86-89, 1999. (C) 1999, Elsevier Scien ce Inc.