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What is the state of knowledge on the use of phytotherapy in the following urological benign diseases: prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, male infertility, urolithiasis and low-urinary tract symptoms? Supplements derived from natural products are used in medicine alone or in combination with drugs. In urology, there are many products used for symptom management in benign conditions. The aim of this review was to investigate the use of herbal medicines to treat benign urological diseases. A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase and Scopus (2010–2021) databases. The inclusion criteria were studies describing the use of phytotherapeutic strategies to treat adult patients with urological diseases. Quality assessments were performed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Nineteen studies were included in this systematic review: 13 randomized controlled trials, 3 pilot studies, 1 quasi-experimental study, 1 retrospective observational study and 1 post hoc analysis. Phytotherapeutic agents used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia included royal jelly, Viola odorata, Echium amoenum, Physalis alkekengi, soy isoflavones, Serenoa repens, Trigonella foenum-graecum, lycopene and selenium. Tribulus terrestris is widely used to treat erectile dysfunction and male infertility. Lycopene, Korean ginseng berries, Indian ginseng and Curcuma improve sperm characteristics and motility. Lupeol therapy reduces kidney stone size, improving urolithiasis symptoms and accelerating the expulsion of small stones. No standard of care has been established for the use of phytotherapeutic agents to manage patients with symptomatic urological disorders. Although randomized controlled trials were the most common study type in our review, the sample sizes were limited, and the study duration and follow-up periods were often very short.

Could shift nurses develop overactive bladder (OAB) as a result of metabolic syndrome (MetS)? Shift work and consequent sleep disorders are risk factors of developing MetS. The aim of this literature review was to describe the correlation between MetS OAB and shift work. Search terms (free terms, MeSH): ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘urologic diseases’; papers published in the last 10 years (2009–2019) were searched in major medical databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review). We included all randomized controlled trials, observational studies, reviews and we included papers studying MetS and OAB. Quality assessment of the papers was conducted according to the Dixon-Woods checklist. Seven articles were analysed. The literature review pointed out that insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), cholesterol and triglycerides have a relationship with MetS. The prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increases the risk of urolithiasis especially in women. Nurses are an occupational category at risk for MetS, due mainly to shift work. All this could therefore put nurses in a position to develop OAB, but studies are needed that analyse the urinary habits of this professional category to prevent bad habits and reduce absenteeism.

Can the use of mobile applications (apps) improve quality of life and disease management in adult patients with urologic disease? Technology has created new opportunities to promote behavioural change in the daily lives of patients. One third of adults in the United States who own smartphones or tablets use health apps to improve their health. The aim of this review was to analyse whether use of mobile apps improves the quality of life and symptom management of urological patients. Databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus. Search terms (free terms, MeSH): mobile apps, urologic diseases. Papers searched included all randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, analytical cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and case–control studies. Nine articles were analysed. The review showed that mobile apps purpose-built for urological patients can improve quality of life, signs and symptoms. It is necessary that nurses and physicians be familiar with these apps in order to identify and benefit those patients who deal with disabling diseases that prevent them performing their daily activities to the desired degree. Mhealth makes inroads into the medical profession, both doctors and nurses should maintain awareness not only of drug and other therapies but also of the efficacy of the mobile health apps available. Digital health treatment has arrived and can no longer be considered merely peripheral.