New Clinical Data on Urologix’ In-Office BPH Therapies Highlighted at Recent AUA Regional Meetings
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) November 20, 2013 -- Urologix’ (OTCQB: ULGX) market-leading non-surgical BPH therapies have been well represented at this year’s American Urology Association (AUA) regional meetings. Most notably, three clinical studies were presented demonstrating the effectiveness of Prostiva® RF Therapy and Cooled ThermoTherapy™. These studies’ results demonstrate clinical effectiveness in line with prior publications and build evidence for earlier intervention in BPH disease progression. In addition, one study demonstrates greater patient comfort using a modified prostatic block technique. All three posters can be downloaded from the Urologix website at http://www.urologix.com/clinicians/resource-library/clinical-support.php. Both Prostiva and Cooled ThermoTherapy are indicated for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and are included in the AUA Guidelines for management of BPH. In-Office BPH Therapy is an excellent treatment alternative for the countless patients suffering from an enlarged prostate who do not want or are not doing well on BPH medications.
Dr. Craig Smith, a board certified urologist at DuPage Medical Group Urology in Chicago, presented the poster “Painless In-Office Prostiva” at the 2013 North Central Section AUA Meeting. The study was independently funded by DuPage Medical Group and measured intra-procedure comfort levels of 45 patients after administering a modified version of a typical prostatic block, a procedure where local anesthetic is injected into the prostate area prior to a medical procedure. Using a validated visual analog pain scale of 0-10, all patients reported scores of 2 or less with 87% reporting no pain at all. Following the procedure, the patients demonstrated symptom score improvement of 69% at 2 years. Dr. Smith concluded that with better patient comfort controls in place, a physician is able to treat more sites on the prostate which may result in improved outcomes and longer duration of the sustained benefit.
To view a video on performing a modified prostatic block similar to the one Dr. Smith utilized, please visit the Urologix Physician Resource Center at http://www.urologix.com/clinicians/resource-library/professional-education.php.
In a study co-authored by Dr. Parminder Sethi, a retrospective analysis of 51 patients was performed to quantify subjective and objective improvement in patients who chose Prostiva RF Therapy. The results of this analysis were presented at the 2013 Western Section AUA Meeting during the prostate and bladder poster session. This analysis showed a significant improvement of 68% at 1 year which was well maintained in patients reaching the 2 year follow-up time point. It also demonstrated that 7 of the 8 patients in retention prior to the treatment were free from retention after having Prostiva RF Therapy.
“For me, the results of this retrospective analysis confirm both the initial symptom improvement patients can expect from Prostiva, as well as the long-term relief from BPH.” stated Parminder Sethi, co-author of the retrospective analysis.
Finally, a study by Drs. Cox, Smith, Conlin and Hatch, sponsored by the Portland VA Medical Center, evaluated Cooled ThermoTherapy in veterans, many of whom presented later in disease progression and typically were considered higher risk. In this prospective study, 101 consecutive patients were treated using Cooled ThermoTherapy including 64% of patients in retention. Of those in retention, 56% were free of retreatment or intermittent self-catheterization post treatment. Markedly, those patients not in retention prior to the procedure saw a much higher 86% freedom from retreatment and self-catheterization. The strong correlation between greater freedom from retreatment and retention and earlier intervention suggests that while chronic retention patients receive benefit from Cooled ThermoTherapy, earlier intervention produces a higher success rate and greater durability.
“The entire team at Urologix is very proud to see the positive impact on patients’ lives our customers are achieving through the use of our technologies and thank them for their efforts to publish their results.” stated Greg Fluet, CEO of Urologix. “It was especially compelling to see data from the Portland Veterans Administration where the patients are so deserving of the best care our country can provide. It is our hope that data of this sort showing the benefits of earlier intervention will help increase access to care for both veterans and non-veterans alike as so many men are stuck on chronic medication for years before understanding what alternative options exist.”
About Urologix
Urologix, Inc., based in Minneapolis, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes minimally invasive medical products for the treatment of obstruction and symptoms due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Urologix’ Cooled ThermoTherapy™ produces targeted microwave energy combined with a unique cooling mechanism to protect healthy tissue and enhance patient comfort. The Prostiva® RF Therapy System is an anatomical approach which uses radio frequency energy to destroy the prostate tissue, reducing constriction of the urethra, and thereby relieving BPH symptoms. Both of these therapies provide safe, effective and lasting relief of obstruction and symptoms due to BPH. Prostiva is a registered trademark of Medtronic, Inc., used under license. All other trademarks are the property of Urologix.
Federal USA law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. For more complete information about the benefits, risks and contraindications associated with Cooled ThermoTherapy and Prostiva RF Therapy, please refer to http://www.urologix.com.
If you would like more information on this topic, please contact Karen Snay at 513-484-2987 or ksnay(at)urologix(dot)com.
The Urologix logo and other media assets are available at http://www.urologix.com/clinicians/resource-library.php.
Urologix Media Contact
Karen Snay
(513) 484-2987
[email protected]
Urologix Investor Relations Contact
Brian Smrdel
(763) 475-7696
[email protected]
Karen Snay, Urologix, Inc., http://www.urologix.com, +1 5134842987, [email protected]
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