Phytosterols and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Management: Knowledge and Perceptions Among Future Healthcare Professionals.

Abstract

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men, with a growing global incidence. Dietary supplements containing phytosterols (DS-PS) are increasingly used as complementary treatments for BPH. However, there is limited understanding of the knowledge and perceptions future healthcare professionals have regarding these supplements, which may affect the quality of medical counseling and patient care. Aim The present study aims to obtain a clear and detailed understanding of the level of knowledge and existing perceptions among medical students regarding DS-PS used in BPH. Materials and methods A structured questionnaire based on 18 questions was distributed to students from the medicine and pharmacy programs of the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Romania. Descriptive statistics was applied to all the questions, and potential associations were evaluated by the chi-square test. Results The study included 361 participants, predominantly female (54.61%) and aged between 18 and 25 years (82.06%). Although 80.43% of respondents were familiar with the concept of BPH, only 57.99% knew that phytosterols (PS) are used to improve the symptoms associated with BPH. A significant finding is that pharmacy students had a higher level of knowledge about DS-PS (79.77%) compared to medical students (54.49%). However, both groups show similar levels of general knowledge about BPH. Additionally, there was a significant association between the awareness of DS-PS and the perception of their safety, as well as between the level of knowledge about BPH and the understanding of the benefits offered by PS in the treatment of BPH (p<0.05). Conclusion This study shows a positive perception of PS among respondents, even in the absence of detailed knowledge, highlighting the need for integrative curricula for medical students and advanced training for healthcare professionals focused on the use of complementary phytotherapeutic approaches in chronic conditions. Integrating this information into university curricula and promoting evidence-based information could enhance clinical practice and patient counseling.