Stephen Bent, MD

Professor Emeritus

Dr. Bent's main research interest is the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies and dietary supplements. He served as the project director for one of the first large randomized controlled trials of saw palmetto for enlarged prostate, which gained international recognition for demonstrating that this commonly used herb was no more effective than placebo. Dr. Bent has also served as the principal investigator or co-investigator of several other large randomized controlled trials, including a study of a Chinese herbal remedy used to treat fatigue in the elderly and an internet-based study examining the efficacy of the herbs valerian (for sleep) and kava (for anxiety). Recently, Dr. Bent has conducted clinical trials of complementary and alternative therapies in children with autism, including studies of omega-3 fatty acids, methyl B12, sulforaphane, and vitamin D. Dr. Bent was also the Principal Investigator of the first-ever fully internet-based randomized controlled trial of a pharmaceutical drug and the first internet-based trial of a treatment (omega-3 fatty acids) conducted in children with autism. He plans to further develop internet-based technology to speed the testing of promising new therapies. Dr. Bent is an expert in evidence-based medicine and ambulatory care, and has coauthored textbooks in both areas.
Education
2018 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California
Residency, - School of Medicine - Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
Publications

  1. Xiong F, Dai Q, Zhang S, Bent S, Tahir P, Van Blarigan EL, Kenfield SA, Chan JM, Schmajuk G, Graff RE. Diabetes and incidence of breast cancer and its molecular subtypes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews 2023. PMID: 37545374


  2. Rubio EM, Hilton JF, Bent S, Parvataneni R, Oberman E, Saberi NS, Varon S, Schembri M, Waetjen LE, Jacoby VL. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids. Journal of women's health (2002) 2023. PMID: 37023398


  3. Hossain B, Bent S, Parenteau C, Widjaja F, Davis M, Hendren RL. The Associations Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Internalizing Symptoms, and Academic Performance in Children With Reading Disorder: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. 2015 Year Book of Pediatrics. Ed. Cabana MD. (Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA) 2022. PMID: 35373641


  4. Pearson M, Bent S. Post-vaccination Subacromial Bursitis. 2015 Year Book of Pediatrics. Ed. Cabana MD. (Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA) 2021. PMID: 34731437


  5. Hossain B, Chen Y, Bent S, Parenteau C, Widjaja F, Haft SL, Hoeft F, Hendren RL. The role of grit and resilience in children with reading disorder: a longitudinal cohort study. Annals of dyslexia 2021. PMID: 34324164


  6. Kelly JD, Bravata DM, Bent S, Wray CM, Leonard SJ, Boscardin WJ, Myers LJ, Keyhani S. Association of Social and Behavioral Risk Factors With Mortality Among US Veterans With COVID-19. JAMA network open 2021. PMID: 34106264


  7. Keyhani S, Kelly JD, Bent S, Boscardin WJ, Shlipak MG, Leonard S, Abraham A, Lum E, Lau N, Austin C, Oldenburg CE, Zillich A, Lopez L, Zhang Y, Lietman T, Bravata DM. A telehealth-based randomized controlled trial: A model for outpatient trials of off-label medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical trials (London, England) 2021. PMID: 34011199


  8. Hossain B, Bent S, Hendren R. The association between anxiety and academic performance in children with reading disorder: A longitudinal cohort study. Dyslexia (Chichester, England) 2021. PMID: 33733531


  9. . Feasibility of universal screening for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders among caregivers of infants hospitalized in NICUs: a systematic review. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association 2021. PMID: 33692474


  10. Bent S, O'Malley MJ. Diagnosis of Achilles' Tendon Rupture during a Virtual Examination. The New England journal of medicine 2021. PMID: 33657684


  11. Zheng S, Kim H, Salzman E, Ankenman K, Bent S. Improving Social Knowledge and Skills among Adolescents with Autism: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of UCLA PEERS® for Adolescents. Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2021. PMID: 33512626


  12. Pearson M, Barker AM, Battistone MJ, Bent S, Odden K, O'Brien B. Implementing an established musculoskeletal educational curriculum in a new context: a study of effectiveness and feasibility. Medical education online 2020. PMID: 32379582


  13. Buckle GC, Mahapatra R, Mwachiro M, Akoko L, Mmbaga EJ, White RE, Bent S, Van Loon K. Optimal management of esophageal cancer in Africa: A systemic review of treatment strategies. International journal of cancer 2020. PMID: 32930395


  14. Bent S, Wahlberg J, Chen Y, Widjaja F, McDonald MG, Hendren RL. Quality of Life Among School-Age Children With Autism: The Oak Hill School Outcomes Study. Seminars in pediatric neurology 2020. PMID: 32446439


  15. Hwong A, Wang K, Bent S, Mangurian C. Breast Cancer Screening in Women With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) 2019. PMID: 31722645


  16. Issaka RB, Avila P, Whitaker E, Bent S, Somsouk M. Population health interventions to improve colorectal cancer screening by fecal immunochemical tests: A systematic review. Preventive medicine 2018. PMID: 30367972


  17. Bent S, Lawton B, Warren T, Widjaja F, Dang K, Fahey JW, Cornblatt B, Kinchen JM, Delucchi K, Hendren RL. Identification of urinary metabolites that correlate with clinical improvements in children with autism treated with sulforaphane from broccoli. Molecular autism 2018. PMID: 29854372


  18. Dang K, Bent S, Lawton B, Warren T, Widjaja F, McDonald MG, Breard M, O'Keefe W, Hendren RL. Integrating Autism Care through a School-Based Intervention Model: A Pilot Study. Journal of clinical medicine 2017. PMID: 29048365


  19. Hunter BD, Minichiello T, Bent S. Anticoagulation for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with brain metastases: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis 2017. PMID: 28836150


  20. Bent S, Ailarov A, Dang KT, Widjaja F, Lawton BL, Hendren RL. Open-Label Trial of Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2017. PMID: 28437142


  21. Bent S, Dang K, Widjaja F, Lawton B, Nazneen N, Hendren RL. Examining Clinics for Children with Autism: The Autism Translating To Treatment Study. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 2017. PMID: 28084799


  22. Hendren RL, James SJ, Widjaja F, Lawton B, Rosenblatt A, Bent S. Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Methyl B12 for Children with Autism. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology 2016. PMID: 26889605


  23. Wang RC, Bent S, Weber E, Neilson J, Smith-Bindman R, Fahimi J. The Impact of Clinical Decision Rules on Computed Tomography Use and Yield for Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Annals of emergency medicine 2015. PMID: 26747217


  24. Bent S, Hendren RL. Complementary and alternative treatments for autism part 1: evidence-supported treatments. AMA journal of ethics 2015. PMID: 25901707


  25. Bent S, Hendren RL, Zandi T, Law K, Choi JE, Widjaja F, Kalb L, Nestle J, Law P. Internet-based, randomized, controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for hyperactivity in autism. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2014. PMID: 24839884


  26. Bent S, Bertoglio K, Ashwood P, Nemeth E, Hendren RL. Brief report: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in children with autism spectrum disorder: a clinical trial. Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2012. PMID: 21818676


  27. Tokman S, Schuetz P, Bent S. Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Expert review of anti-infective therapy 2011. PMID: 21692680


  28. Bent S, Bertoglio K, Ashwood P, Bostrom A, Hendren RL. A pilot randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2011. PMID: 20683766


  29. Bent S, Hendren RL. Improving the prediction of response to therapy in autism. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics 2010. PMID: 20643375


  30. Singer JP, Kohlwes J, Bent S, Zimmerman L, Eisner MD. The impact of a "low-intensity" versus "high-intensity" medical intensive care unit on patient outcomes in critically ill veterans. Journal of intensive care medicine 2010. PMID: 20444736


  31. Tsourounis C, Bent S. Why change is needed in research examining dietary supplements. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics 2010. PMID: 20107446


  32. Bitting RL, Bent S, Li Y, Kohlwes J. The prognosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis 2009. PMID: 19644360


  33. Nguyen SP, Bent S, Chen YH, Terdiman JP. Gender as a risk factor for advanced neoplasia and colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2009. PMID: 19514116


  34. Daniels NA, Chen YH, Bent S. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory use and the risk of prostate cancer. BMC research notes 2009. PMID: 19374749


  35. Bent S, Bertoglio K, Hendren RL. Omega-3 fatty acids for autistic spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2009. PMID: 19333748


  36. Simon JA, Chen YH, Bent S. The relation of alpha-linolenic acid to the risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of clinical nutrition 2009. PMID: 19321563


  37. Kangelaris KN, Bent S, Nussbaum RL, Garcia DA, Tice JA. Genetic testing before anticoagulation? A systematic review of pharmacogenetic dosing of warfarin. Journal of general internal medicine 2009. PMID: 19306050


  39. Avins AL, Bent S, Padula A, Staccone S, Badua E, Goldberg H. Initial experience with a group presentation of study results to research participants. Trials 2008. PMID: 18355417


  40. Avins AL, Bent S, Staccone S, Badua E, Padula A, Goldberg H, Neuhaus J, Hudes E, Shinohara K, Kane C. A detailed safety assessment of a saw palmetto extract. Complementary therapies in medicine 2008. PMID: 18534327


  41. Li JZ, Winston LG, Moore DH, Bent S. Efficacy of short-course antibiotic regimens for community-acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis. The American journal of medicine 2007. PMID: 17765048


  42. Margaretten ME, Kohlwes J, Moore D, Bent S. Does this adult patient have septic arthritis? JAMA 2007. PMID: 17405973


  43. Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal of medicine 2006. PMID: 17145239


  44. Avins AL, Bent S. Saw palmetto and lower urinary tract symptoms: what is the latest evidence? Current urology reports 2006. PMID: 16930496


  45. Kohlwes RJ, Shunk RL, Avins A, Garber J, Bent S, Shlipak MG. The PRIME curriculum. Clinical research training during residency. Volume 21 of Issue 5. Journal of general internal medicine 2006. PMID: 16704399


  46. Bent S, Padula A, Avins AL. Brief communication: Better ways to question patients about adverse medical events: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of internal medicine 2006. PMID: 16490911


  47. Bent S, Kane C, Shinohara K, Neuhaus J, Hudes ES, Goldberg H, Avins AL. Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The New England journal of medicine 2006. PMID: 16467543


  48. Jacobs BP, Bent S, Tice JA, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. An internet-based randomized, placebo-controlled trial of kava and valerian for anxiety and insomnia. Medicine 2005. PMID: 16010204


  50. Avins AL, Bent S, Neuhaus JM. Use of an embedded N-of-1 trial to improve adherence and increase information from a clinical study. Contemporary clinical trials 2005. PMID: 15911473


  51. Liu R, Nair D, Ix J, Moore DH, Bent S. N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of general internal medicine 2005. PMID: 15836554


  52. Bent S, Padula A, Neuhaus J. Safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium for weight loss. The American journal of cardiology 2004. PMID: 15541270


  53. Terasawa T, Blackmore CC, Bent S, Kohlwes RJ. Systematic review: computed tomography and ultrasonography to detect acute appendicitis in adults and adolescents. Annals of internal medicine 2004. PMID: 15466771


  54. Bent S, Shojania KG, Saint S. The use of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in infection control and hospital epidemiology. American journal of infection control 2004. PMID: 15175624


  55. Bent S, Ko R. Commonly used herbal medicines in the United States: a review. The American journal of medicine 2004. PMID: 15047038


  56. Bent S, Xu L, Lui LY, Nevitt M, Schneider E, Tian G, Guo S, Cummings S. A randomized controlled trial of a Chinese herbal remedy to increase energy, memory, sexual function, and quality of life in elderly adults in Beijing, China. The American journal of medicine 2003. PMID: 14563500


  58. Bent S, Tiedt TN, Odden MC, Shlipak MG. The relative safety of ephedra compared with other herbal products. Annals of internal medicine 2003. PMID: 12639079


  59. Bent S, Saint S. The optimal use of diagnostic testing in women with acute uncomplicated cystitis. The American journal of medicine 2002. PMID: 12113868


  60. Bent S, Nallamothu BK, Simel DL, Fihn SD, Saint S. Does this woman have an acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection? JAMA 2002. PMID: 12020306


  61. Mar C, Bent S. An evidence-based review of the 10 most commonly used herbs. The Western journal of medicine 1999. PMID: 10560291


  62. Bent S, Saint S, Vittinghoff E, Grady D. Antibiotics in acute bronchitis: a meta-analysis. The American journal of medicine 1999. PMID: 10403354


  63. Bent S. Commentary: Adulterants in herbal products: dangerous and deceitful. The Western journal of medicine 1999. PMID: 18751139


  64. Saint S, Bent S, Vittinghoff E, Grady D. Antibiotics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. A meta-analysis. JAMA 1995. PMID: 7884956