Chronic pelvic pains represent the most prominent urogenital symptoms of "chronic prostatitis"

Assessment of Sexual Function in Relation to Microbiological Findings in Patients with Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

Background/Objectives: Patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) often present symptoms of sexual dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the infection location and etiology on sexual dysfunction in patients with CBP. Methods: Male patients with CBP diagnosed by microbiological tests underwent a complete clinical assessment and were administered questionnaires for prostatitis (NIH-CPSI), voiding (IPSS), and sexual function (IIEF-15, PEDT). Results: Out of 614 patients, erectile dysfunction (ED) was present in 49.8%, and premature ejaculation (PE) in 40.7%. At least one sexual disorder was present in 86.3% when other disorders of ejaculation, orgasm, and sexual desire were considered. Patients with Gram-negative infections in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) or voided urine after prostatic massage (VB3) had higher odds of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction compared to patients with infection by atypical pathogens (OR 3.31, CI 1.43-7.63, p = 0.0039). Rates of orgasmic dysfunction were also higher in Gram-negative and Gram-positive with respect to atypicals (OR 3.2, CI 1.36-7.90, p = 0.006 and OR 3.78, CI 1.64-8.71, p = 0.001). Hemospermia was more frequent in patients with semen infection by Gram-positive than in patients with infection by atypical pathogens (OR 2.2984, CI 1.3239-3.9901, p = 0.002). Prostatic calcifications at transrectal ultrasound were less frequent in patients with semen infection by Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive (OR 0.471, CI 0.3029-0.7322, p = 0.000). The addition of an "S" (sexual) domain to the UPOINT classification achieves a more significant correlation between the number of positive domains in each patient and the NIH-CPSI score. Conclusions: Infections by Gram-negative are associated with more sexual morbidity in patients with CBP. The use of a questionnaire investigating all the main domains of sexual dysfunction could be very useful for the phenotyping of patients with chronic prostatitis.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urological Infections: Summary of the 2024 Guidelines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Urological infections significantly impact the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals owing to their widespread occurrence and diverse clinical manifestations. The objective of the guidelines panel was to provide evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male accessory-gland infections, while addressing crucial public health aspects related to infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.

METHODS

For the 2024 guidelines on urological infections, new and relevant evidence was identified, collated, and appraised via a structured assessment of the literature. Databases searched included Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Libraries. Recommendations within the guidelines were developed by the panel to prioritise clinically important care decisions. The strength of each recommendation was determined according to a balance between desirable and undesirable consequences of alternative management strategies, the quality of the evidence (including the certainty of estimates), and the nature and variability of patient values and preferences.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS

Key recommendations emphasise the importance of a thorough medical history and physical examination for patients with urological infections. The guidelines stress the role of antimicrobial stewardship to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance, providing recommendations for antibiotic selection, dosing, and duration on the basis of the latest evidence.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This overview of the 2024 EAU guidelines offers valuable insights into managing urological infections and are designed for effective integration into clinical practice.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The European Association of Urology has issued an updated guideline on urological infections. The guidelines provide recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, with a particular focus on minimising antibiotic use because of the increasing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Prostatitis: A Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pathologies of the prostate in men are one of the most prevalent clinical conditions today [1]. Specifically, pelvic inflammatory disease such as prostatitis can cause symptoms and syndromes different from urological ones, such as bowel or nervous system manifestations. This has a largely negative impact on the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is convenient to know and update the information about the therapeutic approach to prostatitis, which is a challenge that involves different medical specialties. The aim of this article is to provide summarized and focused evidence to help in the therapeutic approach of patients with prostatitis. A computer-based search of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases was used to perform a comprehensive literature review on prostatitis, with special interest in recent findings and latest therapeutic guideline recommendations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent discoveries about the epidemiology and clinical classifications of prostatitis seem to incur in an increasingly individualized and directed management, with the aim of covering all the confluent factors in prostatic inflammatory pathology. In addition, the role of new drugs and combination with phytotherapy open up a range of new treatment possibilities, although future randomized studies will be necessary to better understand how to use all treatment modalities. Despite all the knowledge acquired about the pathophysiology of prostate diseases, and due to their interrelation with other pelvic systems and organs, there are still gaps that make it difficult for us to provide an optimal and standardized treatment in many of our patients. Being aware of the influence of all the factors potentially involved in prostate symptoms is crucial for a correct diagnosis and establishing an effective treatment plan.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome-related pain symptoms and their impact on sexual functioning

INTRODUCTION

The present study sought to examine a new model to evaluate the mechanistic pathways between pain and sexual dysfunction in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), incorporating cognitive and emotional factors.

METHODS

Men with a self-reported diagnosis of CP/CPPS (n=94, 24-69 years, Mage=44.22, standard deviation 11.25) were recruited through social media, support groups, and urology clinics and completed an online questionnaire of demographic, pain, cognitive, psychological, and sexual variables. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and serial mediation analyses assessed variable associations.

RESULTS

Almost half of participants reported mild to severe erectile dysfunction (47.4%). Sexual dysfunction was associated with greater pain symptom severity and pain catastrophizing, as well as depressive symptoms (p<0.01 for all). While pain did not independently predict levels of sexual dysfunction, the addition of pain catastrophizing and depressive symptoms into the pathway explained the association between increased pain symptoms and decreased sexual functioning (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond generally poor sexual functioning in the current sample, it appears as if cognitive and emotional factors play a role in the association between pain symptoms and sexual functioning in these men with CP/CPPS. The findings of how pain catastrophizing and depression impact the association of pain severity and decreased sexual functioning is important for improving patient care.

Relationship between erectile dysfunction and moderate to severe prostatitis-like symptoms in middle-aged men: a propensity score-matched analysis

PURPOSE

We assessed the relationship between chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) using propensity score matching.

METHODS

Data from 8727 middle-aged men who had undergone health checkups were analyzed. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF), the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), testosterone measurement, basic blood chemistry, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) assessment were performed in this study. Of the 8727 men considered, 7181 formed the cohort for propensity score matching, including 597 men with moderate to severe prostatitis-like symptoms (case) and 6584 men with no prostatitis-like symptoms (control); ultimately, however, members of the case and control groups were matched at a 1:1 ratio by propensity score.

RESULTS

After matching, the variables of age, testosterone, PEDT and MetS were evenly distributed between the groups. After matching, the mean IIEF score of the case group was significantly lower than that of the control group (17.2 ± 5.5 vs. 14.7 ± 5.3; P < 0.001). Additionally, the severity of ED was significantly greater in the case group (no, mild, mild to moderate, moderate, and severe, respectively: 27.5%, 30.2%, 24.6%, 13.1%, and 4.7% in the control group; 10.7%, 27.0%, 33.0%, 18.9%, and 10.4% in the case group; P < 0.001). Finally, the rate of moderate to severe ED was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (17.8% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Moderate to severe prostatitis-like symptoms were significantly and independently correlated with ED in middle-aged men.

Prostate cancer incidence in men with self-reported prostatitis after 15 years of follow-up

Controversy exists regarding a possible association between prostatitis and prostate cancer. To further evaluate the incidence of prostate cancer following prostatitis, a study of prostate cancer incidence in a cohort of Finnish men was performed. The original survey evaluating self-reported prostatitis was conducted in 1996-1997. A database review was conducted focusing on prostate cancer diagnoses in the cohort. In 2012, there were 13 (5.2%) and 27 (1.8%) prostate cancer cases among men with (n=251) and without (n=1,521) prostatitis symptoms, respectively. There were no significant differences in age, primary therapy distribution, prostate-specific antigen levels, Gleason score, clinical T-class at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis, or time lag between the original survey and prostate cancer diagnosis. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of prostate cancer was 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62-1.99] and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.29-0.64) among men with and without prostatitis symptoms, respectively. After 15 years of follow-up subsequent to self-reported prostatitis, no evident increase in incidence of prostate cancer was detected among Finnish men with prostatitis symptoms. The higher percentage of prostate cancer among men with prostatitis symptoms appears to be due to coincidentally low SIR of prostate cancer among men without prostatitis symptoms, and may additionally be due to increased diagnostic examinations. Further research is required to confirm this speculation.

Intratesticular Bradykinin Involvement in Rat Testicular Pain Models

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the role of bradykinin in urogenital pain, we investigated bradykinin involvement in rat models of testicular pain.

METHODS

Bradykinin (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mmol/L) or distilled water was injected into the testes of male Wistar rats, and induced pain behaviors in conscious rats were evaluated. The effect of pretreatment with bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist FK3657 on bradykinin-induced pain behavior was then examined. We also evaluated the analgesic effect of FK3657 in a rat acetic acid-induced testicular pain as well as changes in the intratesticular bradykinin concentration after testicular injection of acetic acid.

RESULTS

An injection of bradykinin into the testes of conscious rats induced pain behaviors that were dose-proportionally reduced by prior administration of FK3657. In addition, FK3657 dose-dependently inhibited the pain responses induced by testicular injection of 1% acetic acid. An increase in intratesticular bradykinin concentration was detected after the testicular injection of 1% acetic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we found that intratesticular bradykinin evokes pain behavior via stimulation of bradykinin B2 receptors and that intratesticular acetic acid injection induces intratesticular bradykinin synthesis, consequently leading to pain behavior. These findings suggest that the potential utility of bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists as a novel target for treating urogenital pain.

Updates on therapies for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Prostatitis comprises of a group of syndromes that affect almost 50% of men at least once in their lifetime and makeup the majority of visits to the Urology Clinics. After much debate, it has been divided into four distinct categories by National Institutes of Health namely (1) acute bacterial prostatitis; (2) chronic bacterial prostatitis; (3) chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) which is further divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory CP/CPPS; and (4) asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. CP/CPPS has been a cause of great concern for both patients and physicians because of the lack of presence of thorough information about the etiological factors along with the difficult-to-treat nature of the syndrome. For the presented manuscript an extensive search on PubMed was conducted for CP/CPPS aimed to present an updated review on the evaluation and treatment options available for patients with CP/CPPS. Several diagnostic criteria’s have been established to diagnose CP/CPPS, with prostatic/pelvic pain for at least 3 mo being the major classifying symptom along with the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms and/or ejaculatory pain. Diagnostic tests can help differentiate CP/CPPS from other syndromes that come under the heading of prostatitis by ruling out active urinary tract infection and/or prostatic infection with uropathogen by performing urine cultures, Meares-Stamey Four Glass Test, Pre- and Post-Massage Two Glass Test. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is confirmed through prostate biopsy done for elevated serum prostate-specific antigen levels or abnormal digital rectal examination. Researchers have been unable to link a single etiological factor to the pathogenesis of CP/CPPS, instead a cluster of potential etiologies including atypical bacterial or nanobacterial infection, autoimmunity, neurological dysfunction and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction are most commonly implicated. Initially monotherapy with anti-biotics and alpha adrenergic-blockers can be tried, but its success has only been observed in treatment naïve population. Other pharmacotherapies including phytotherapy, neuromodulatory drugs and anti-inflammatories achieved limited success in trials. Complementary and interventional therapies including acupuncture, myofascial trigger point release and pelvic floor biofeedback have been employed. This review points towards the fact that treatment should be tailored individually for patients based on their symptoms. Patients can be stratified phenotypically based on the UPOINT system constituting of Urinary, Psychosocial, Organ-specific, Infectious, Neurologic/Systemic and symptoms of muscular Tenderness and the treatment algorithm should be proposed accordingly. Treatment of CP/CPPS should be aimed towards treating local as well as central factors causing the symptoms. Surgical intervention can cause significant morbidity and should only be reserved for treatment-refractory patients that have previously failed to respond to multiple drug therapies.

Psychosocial mechanisms of the pain and quality of life relationship for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)

INTRODUCTION

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent, chronic pelvic pain condition largely unresponsive to medical interventions. Psychosocial risk factors are associated with poor outcomes in CP/CPPS, but have not been examined for their intervening roles between pain and reduced quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to determine if psychosocial risk factors (i.e., patient coping and catastrophizing) mediate the association between pain and QoL.

METHODS

Using a cross sectional design, 175 men with CP/CPPS (mean age 46.83; SD 10.86) were recruited from tertiary care urology clinics and completed questionnaires on demographics, pain, QoL, pain coping, depression, and catastrophizing. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted and aggregate factor scores were examined to improve the amount of meaningful measurement to be used in multiple mediations. The models specified multiple risk factors as mechanisms between pain and both physical and mental QoL as the primary outcome measurements.

RESULTS

Four aggregate psychosocial factor scores were produced from the psychosocial measures (i.e., illness and wellness-focused behavioural coping, depression and catastrophizing). Illness-focused coping partially mediated the relationship between pain and physical QoL. However, catastrophizing and illness-focused coping fully mediated the relation between pain and mental QoL, showing the association between pain and mental QoL was no longer significant when catastrophizing and illness-focused coping were in the model.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial factors function as mechanisms between higher pain and they are associated diminished mental QoL. These results introduce illness-focused coping as an important biopsychosocial target in CP/CPPS management.

A survey of cannabis (marijuana) use and self-reported benefit in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a chronic pelvic pain condition largely refractory to treatment. Cannabis (marijuana) use has been reported for a wide variety of chronic pain conditions, but no study has examined prevalence of cannabis use, symptom benefit or side effects, or frequency in CP/CPPS.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from an outpatient CP/CPPS urology clinic (n = 98) and online through the Prostatitis Foundation website (n = 244). Participants completed questionnaires (demographics, CP/CPPS, depression, cannabis).

RESULTS

The clinic sample included Canadian patients and the online sample included primarily American patients. Due to differences, groups were examined separately. Almost 50% of respondents reported using cannabis (clinic n = 49; online n = 89). Of the cannabis users, 36.8% of clinic and 75% of online respondents reported that it improved their symptoms. Most of the respondents (from the clinic and online groups) reported that cannabis improved their mood, pain, muscle spasms, and sleep. However, they did not note any improvements for weakness, fatigue, numbness, ambulation, and urination. Overall, the effectiveness of cannabis for CP/CPPS was "somewhat/very effective" (57% clinic; 63% online). There were no differences between side effects or choice of consumption and most reported using cannabis rarely.

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first estimates in men suffering from CP/CPPS and suggest that while cannabis use is prevalent, its medical use and benefit are unknown. This is an understudied area and the benefit or hazard for cannabis use awaits further study.

Prostatitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

The prevalence of prostatitis is extremely high, with up to 16% of men diagnosed with prostatitis at some point throughout their lifetime. However, the etiology appears to be multifactorial and standard treatment regimens have been altered significantly in recent years. The purpose of this review is to examine the changing scientific views on the causes and treatment of prostatitis, chronic prostaitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We review the infectious and noninfectious etiology of the disease, examining the role of antimicrobial treatment in eradicating infection as well as ameliorating symptoms. Current NIH classifications, which stratify prostatitis into four categories, are discussed, as is the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, the primary tool used to assess symptomatology. Diagnostic examinations are studying the need for the four-glass test and its practical replacement by the two-glass test. Multimodal treatment therapy is then discussed, including recent data on biofeedback and evaluation of the role of pelvic floor dysfunction in prostatitis.

Pain, catastrophizing, and depression in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Persistent and disabling pain is the hallmark of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). However, disease severity (as measured by objective indexes such as those that use radiography or serology) is only marginally related to patients' reports of pain severity, and pain-related presentation can differ widely among individuals with CP/CPPS. Increasing evidence in support of the biopsychosocial model of pain suggests that cognitive and emotional processes are crucial contributors to inter-individual differences in the perception and impact of pain. This review describes the growing body of literature relating depression and catastrophizing to the experience of pain and pain-related sequelae in CP/CPPS. Depression and catastrophizing are consistently associated with the reported severity of pain, sensitivity to pain, physical disability, poor treatment outcomes, and inflammatory disease activity and potentially with early mortality. A variety of pathways, from cognitive to behavioral to neurophysiological, seem to mediate these deleterious effects. Collectively, depression and catastrophizing are critically important variables in understanding the experience of pain in patients with CP/CPPS. Pain, depression, and catastrophizing might all be uniquely important therapeutic targets in the multimodal management of a range of such conditions.

A prospective observational study of chronic prostatitis with emphasis on epidemiological and microbiological features

OBJECTIVES

Despite the progress made in recent years in understanding and diagnosing chronic prostatitis (CP) many cases are still underdiagnosed and undertreated for unknown reasons. The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiological data of patients with symptoms of CP and to associate data from medical history and clinical examination with the results of laboratory tests.

METHODS

The study population consisted of individuals with reported pelvic discomfort and genital pain with or without lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction visiting our department from 03/2009 to 03/2011. Patients underwent Meares-Stamey test (a few cases underwent the two-glass test). Depending on history and specific symptoms, urethral smear and sperm cultures were additionally obtained from several patients. The processes and reading of the samples were performed by a specialist microbiologist, who has not notified the patient record.

RESULTS

114 out of 155 patients who finally enrolled into the study had a medical history, 69 had sexual behavior and 72 sexual habits that predispose to chronic prostatitis. The clinical examination was not diagnostic in 43.8% of cases. The urethral smear and sperm culture diagnosed coexistent urethral infection in 22 cases. 54 out of the 72 positive EPS/VB3/PPM cultures grew one, 11 two to three and 5 cultures grew more than three different organisms.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this study debate some widely accepted considerations on the etiology and diagnosis of chronic prostatitis and highlight the uncertainties and controversies regarding chronic prostatitis etiology, pathophysiology, presentation and diagnosis.

Sexual dysfunction in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), or NIH category III prostatitis, is a common clinical syndrome characterized by genital/pelvic pain and lower urinary tract symptoms in the absence of urinary tract infection. There is also growing recognition of the association of sexual dysfunction with CP/CPPS including erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory pain, and premature ejaculation. In this review, we discuss the association between CP/CPPS and sexual dysfunction, potential mechanisms for sexual dysfunction, and treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction in CP/CPPS.

A subtype based analysis of urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men

PURPOSE

The current conceptualization of urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men recognizes a wide variety of pain, psychosocial, sexual and urological symptoms and markers that may contribute to decreased quality of life. Unfortunately, this syndrome is difficult to clearly define and treat due to heterogeneous symptom profiles. We systematically describe these heterogeneous symptoms and investigated whether they could be subtyped into distinct syndromes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 171 men diagnosed with urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome completed validated questionnaires, a structured genital pain interview, digital pain threshold testing and urological assessment. Pain interview results are systematically presented as descriptive information. We used k-means cluster analysis to define subtypes.

RESULTS

Seven homogenous, distinct clusters were defined, each with a remarkably different symptom presentation. These clusters were described and related to previous hypotheses of urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome etiology.

CONCLUSIONS

These clusters may represent distinct subtypes of urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome that can be used to guide treatment more effectively. Defining subtypes may also improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Depression, anxiety, stress perception, and coping strategies in korean military patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to examine the psychological features and coping strategies of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The participants consisted of 55 military personnel suffering from CP/CPPS and 58 military personnel without CP/CPPS symptoms working at the Military Capital Hospital. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was used to assess CP/CPPS symptoms. The Responses to Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, Social Readjustment Rating Scale, and Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS) scale were compared between the two groups. The Weisman Coping Strategy Scale was used to assess coping ability with CP/CPPS.

RESULTS

The NIH-CPSI score of the CP/CPPS group was significantly higher than that of the control group for all domains including pain, urinary symptoms, quality of life, and summed score. The Anxiety and Depression domain of the HAD showed significant differences between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the Social Readjustment Rating Scale between the two groups, but the sum of the GARS score was higher in the CP/CPPS group than in the control group. These were correlated with the pain, quality of life, and sum domains of the NIH-CPSI. The Weisman Coping Strategy Scale showed that intellectualization, redefinition, and flexibility were higher in frequency in descending order, and that fatalism, externalization, and self-pity were lower in frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

The CP/CPPS patients had depression, anxiety, and higher perception of stress. In particular, these were closely related to the pain and quality of life of the patients.

The chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and pain catastrophizing: a vicious combination

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the presence and importance of pain catastrophizing among men diagnosed with chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in a routine clinical setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

61 men, mean age 46 ± 11 years, with a mean CP/CPPS history of 11 ± 11 years, completed the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) to evaluate pain catastrophizing, and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). They were also scored according to the UPOINT system.

RESULTS

The patients' mean scores were: IEEF-5 17.6 ± 7.3, NIH-CPSI pain subscale 11.1 ± 4.4, quality of life question 2.7 ± 1.6, quality of life impact subscale 6.9 ± 2.7 and CSQ catastrophizing score 15.3 ± 9.1. Patients with a high tendency for catastrophizing (CSQ score ≥20) (28%) had higher UPOINT and pain scores, worse quality of life and quality of life impact, but did not stand out regarding voiding dysfunction and ejaculatory pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Two distinctly different cohorts could be identified: a smaller cohort with a high degree of catastrophizing, severe pain and poor quality of life, and a larger one with a low degree of catastrophizing, less severe pain and moderately reduced quality of life. It is important in clinical practice to distinguish between the two groups since they require different therapeutic approaches.

Male accessory gland infection frequency in infertile patients with chronic microbial prostatitis and irritable bowel syndrome

Recently, we reported an increased prevalence of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) in patients with prostatitis syndromes (PS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with patients with PS alone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of male accessory gland infections (MAGI) in patients with CBP plus IBS and to compare the sperm parameters of patients with or without MAGI. Fifty consecutive patients with the following criteria were enrolled: (i) infertility; (ii) diagnosis of CBP; and (iii) diagnosis of IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The following two aged-matched control groups were also studied: infertile patients with CBP alone (n = 56) and fertile men (n = 30) who fathered a child within the previous 3 months. Patients and controls underwent to an accurate anamnesis, administration of the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the Rome III questionnaires for prostatitis and IBS, respectively, physical examination, and semen analysis. A significantly higher frequency of MAGI was found in patients with CBP plus IBS (82.0%) compared with the patients with CBP alone (53.6%) or the fertile men (0%). The presence of MAGI in the patients with CBP plus IBS was associated with a significantly lower sperm concentration, total number, and forward motility, and with a higher seminal leucocyte concentration compared with the patients with CBP alone and MAGI. Sperm normal morphology was similar in the groups of patients. All sperm parameters did not differ significantly in both the groups of patients without MAGI. The patients with CBP plus IBS had a significantly higher frequency of MAGI compared with the patients with CBP alone. This was associated with worse sperm parameters and, hence, poorer reproductive prognosis. We suggest to search for the presence of IBS in the patients with PS and in particular when CBP and/or worse sperm parameters are present.

Tamsulosin Monotherapy versus Combination Therapy with Antibiotics or Anti-Inflammatory Agents in the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Purpose

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is treated by use of various protocols. We compared tamsulosin monotherapy with tamsulosin in combination with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents and evaluated the efficacy of these treatments in patients with CPPS.

Methods

Patients (n=107) who were younger than 55 years and diagnosed with CPPS were randomly assigned to treatment with tamsulosin at 0.2 mg (group A), tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus anti-inflammatory drugs (group B) or tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus antibiotics (group C) daily. We applied the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to evaluate 100 patients who were treated for 12 weeks (7 withdrew). Scores of the three groups were compared by analysis of variance and we also evaluated subscores, which included pain, voiding and quality of life (QoL).

Results

All three groups showed statistically significant decreases in NIH-CPSI score, IPSS and subscore scores (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups except for the QoL domain of the IPSS (group A vs. C; P<0.01).

Conclusions

Tamsulosin monotherapy for 12 weeks was effective for treating patients with CPPS, compared with combination therapy with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inclusion of erectile domain to UPOINT phenotype does not improve correlation with symptom severity in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the addition of an erectile dysfunction (ED) domain to the UPOINT (Urinary, Psychosocial, Organ-specific, Infection, Neurologic/systemic, and Tenderness) system in our patients. The UPOINT system classifies men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome into 6 domains. The domain number correlates with the symptom severity, and UPOINT-guided therapy has been shown to significantly improve symptoms. This was recently confirmed in a large Italian cohort, but was only true in a German cohort if an ED domain was added ("S," resulting in "UPOINTS").

METHODS

A total of 100 recent patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome were classified using the UPOINT system. An additional "S" domain was retrospectively added for men with bothersome ED. Symptom severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index.

RESULTS

The "S" domain was positive in 28% of the patients. A stepwise positive correlation was found between the number of positive UPOINT domains and symptom severity (Pearson r=.27, P=.006). The "S" domain reduced this correlation (Pearson r=.25, P=.01). ED had no effect on the total Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (24.8 vs 24.7) or on the subscores for pain (11.5 vs 11.6) or quality of life (8.8 vs 8.9). On multivariate analysis, the number of UPOINT domains was the strongest predictor of the total Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (relative increase 4.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-6.7, P=.002), a relationship lost with UPOINTS (relative increase 1.0, 95% confidence interval -2.1-4.2, P=.53).

CONCLUSION

In our patients, ED did not independently affect the chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptom severity or quality of life. Although ED should be elicited and appropriately treated in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, our data do not support the utility of using ED as an independent UPOINT domain.

High frequency of chronic bacterial and non-inflammatory prostatitis in infertile patients with prostatitis syndrome plus irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Although prostatitis syndrome (PS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common disorders, information on the prevalence of IBS in infertile patients with PS is relatively scanty. Therefore, this study was undertaken to estimate the frequency of PS and IBS and to evaluate the prevalence of the various diagnostic categories of prostatitis.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

This study enrolled 152 patients with PS, diagnosed by the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in an andrological setting, and 204 patients with IBS, diagnosed according to the Rome III diagnostic criteria in a gastroenterological setting. The patients with PS were asked to fulfill the Rome III questionnaire for IBS, whereas patients with IBS were asked to complete the NIH-CPSI. The simultaneous presence of PS and IBS was observed in 30.2% and 31.8% of the patients screened by andrologists and gastroenterologists, respectively. Altogether, 111 patients had PS plus IBS (31.2%). They had a total NIH-CPSI and pain subscale scores significantly higher than patients with PS alone. Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with PS plus IBS were similar to those reported by patients with IBS alone and significantly greater in patients with PS alone. Patients with PS plus IBS had a significantly higher frequency of chronic bacterial prostatitis (category II) and lower of non-inflammatory prostatitis (category IIIB), compared to patients with PS alone. The frequency of inflammatory prostatitis (category IIIA) resulted similar.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Prostatitis syndromes and IBS are frequently associated in patients with PS- or IBS-related symptoms. These patients have an increased prevalence of chronic bacterial and non-inflammatory prostatitis.

Health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To examine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and factors associated with HRQoL in Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) using two generic preference-based HRQoL instruments, EQ-5D (plus EQ-VAS) and SF-6D, with the results compared with general population.

METHOD

CP/CPPS patients were recruited from two tertiary referral hospitals, and the general populations were randomly approached. After informed consent, subjects were interviewed using EQ-5D, EQ-VAS and SF-6D, and their socio-demographic and medical information was solicited.

RESULTS

Compared to the general population (n = 364), CP/CPPS patients (n = 268) reported significantly worse HRQoL with median score of the EQ-5D utility index (0.73 vs. 0.85), SF-6D utility index (0.76 vs. 0.81), and EQ-VAS (70.0 vs. 85.0). Multiple linear regression analyses showed pain symptom had the strongest predictive power for HRQoL, compared to symptom duration and urinary symptom. Socio-demographic factors and comorbidities did not significantly contribute to poorer HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

CP/CPPS patients experienced deteriorated HRQoL with lower health-related utility scores compared to general population, and pain severity was the main physical symptom predicting decreased health-related utility. Further studies are needed to provide the reference utility index for the comparison and better characterizing the influence of geographic and cultural factors on variation of health-related utility of CP/CPPS patients.

Tenderness as measured by pressure pain thresholds extends beyond the pelvis in chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men

INTRODUCTION

Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) in men is a common complaint, and causes significant impairment in quality of life. Until recently, the focus of research has primarily been on pain symptoms or underlying prostate pathology. However, new clinical phenotyping demonstrates pelvic tenderness to be an important component of UCPPS. Unfortunately, mechanisms underlying tenderness remain to be understood, and tenderness itself has not been well quantified.

AIM

To validate the use of pressure pain thresholds as a method of measuring tenderness in UCPPS and to demonstrate that tenderness extends beyond the pelvis.

METHODS

Fifty-five men diagnosed with UCPPS and 46 healthy controls were recruited through referrals and advertisements. Each participant filled out questionnaires and was assessed by a structured interview. In addition, all UCPPS men underwent urological assessment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic information was collected as well as the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. Using a digital algometer, pressure pain thresholds on 10 genito-pelvic and one control site (deltoid) were measured. The four-glass test was used for all UCPPS men.

RESULTS

UCPPS men had reliably lower pain thresholds compared to controls in all locations, including the deltoid. UCPPS men also demonstrated consistently lower overall pain thresholds regardless of location. Furthermore, pressure pain thresholds were able to correctly distinguish patients from controls 77% of the time. Prostate infection did not influence pain thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower pelvic and nonpelvic thresholds suggest the involvement of a central mechanism in UCPPS. Overall, the data confirm the move away from a prostate-based view of UCPPS. This is supported by the failure to find threshold differences related to prostate infection. Pressure pain thresholds appear to be a promising method of assessing tenderness in UCPPS.

Sexual dysfunction in type III chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) observed in Turkish patients

AIM

Chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a common disabling condition that is primarily associated with pain in the urogenital region and disturbances in urinary and sexual function. Chronic pelvic pain symptoms are the most common presentation, especially perineal, lower abdominal, testicular, penile as well as ejaculatory pain. Other genitourinary tract complaints include voiding disorders and sexual dysfunction. We aimed in the study at examining the prevalence rates of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and comparing these rates with those of healthy control subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between November 2006 and January 2008, 85 patients with the diagnosis of CP/CPPS were chosen for the study; 30 patients without regular sexual activity and 12 patients without inclusion criteria were excluded from the study. A total of 43 patients were included in the study. Twenty healthy volunteers without prostatitis-like syndromes were used as a control group. The sexual function of the patients and the healthy volunteers were evaluated using Arizona Sexual Function Questionary Form and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatio precox (EP) and pain on ejaculation (PEP) were investigated as sexual dysfunction.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 33.7 (22-48) years; the mean symptom period was 37.7 (6-120) months, while the mean age of the control group was 32.4 (24-48) years. The mean NIH-CPSI score of the patient group was 26.1 (16-34). Patient group was classified as CPPS type IIIa and CPPS type IIIb. Mild and moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) was found in [9] 23.2% patients at the patient group and [2] 10% at the control group (P: 0.185). Severe erectile dysfunction was not found in both groups. Ejaculatio Precox (EP) was found at (29) 67.4% of the patient group and [7] 40% of the control group. Pain on ejaculation (PEP) was detected in [15] 37.2% of the patient group, while none of the control group had pain on ejaculation. More than one sexual dysfunction was found in [17] 41.8% of the patient group and none of the control group. Comparing patient group versus control group, ejaculation disorders (EP and PEP) and more than one sexual dysfunction disorder were statistically significant. According to ED, there is no statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Sexual function disorders, especially ejaculation disorders (EP and PEP), are frequently seen in CP/CPPS patients versus normal population. Age, symptoms period, symptom score and CP/CPPS subgroups are not risk factors for sexual function disorders. Patients with the diagnosis of CP/CPPS should be evaluated for sexual function disorders.

Central neuropathic pain: an unusual case of painful ejaculation responding to topiramate

INTRODUCTION

Painful ejaculation (PE) is an uncommon condition and it is usually associated with prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, benign prostatic hyperplasia, ejaculatory duct obstruction, radical prostatectomy, and prostate radiation. Topiramate (TPM) is a new antiepileptic drug with recognized efficacy in neuropathic pain.

AIM

The study is aimed to evaluate TPM efficacy in ejaculation pain.

METHODS

Following a spinal cord injury, a 53-year-old man was referred to our institute for persistent PE. Neurological examination showed mild hypoesthesia of the genital area. Urogenital examination, neurophysiological tools, and computed tomography of the dorso-lumbar spine were normal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure was the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Since pain was refractory to conventional neuropathic pharmacological therapies, TPM was introduced up to 150 mg daily with a dramatic improvement of PE.

CONCLUSIONS

TPM may be considered as a valid therapeutic option for the treatment of PE.

Prevalence of premature ejaculation and its correlation with chronic prostatitis in Chinese men

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a common and serious health problem affecting the quality of life of men. We evaluated the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) in Chinese men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and studied its correlation to chronic prostatitis.

METHODS

A total of 15,000 men (aged 15-60 years) were randomly recruited to take part in a survey to provide questionnaire-elicited information for sociodemographics, sexual function, National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, and International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire. The eligible subjects of the present investigation were married with sexual activity.

RESULTS

Responses were collected from 12 743 men (84.95%). Of these men, 1071 (8.4%) reported having prostatitis-like symptoms. The incidence of chronic prostatitis was 4.5% (n = 571) for the entire group. Of the 7372 eligible men, the incidence of prostatitis-like symptoms, chronic prostatitis, and PE was 10.5% (n = 771), 5.0% (n = 370), and 15.3% (n = 1127), respectively. The group with PE had worse National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index scores (P < .05) and lower International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire scores (P < .05) than the patients without PE. Also, the percentage of prostatitis-like symptoms in the PE group was greater than that in the non-PE group (P < .05). The prevalence of PE was 64.1% and 36.9% in the prostatitis-like symptom and chronic prostatitis group, respectively, of the 7372 eligible men.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study showed a high prevalence of PE in patients with chronic prostatitis. An examination of the prostate, physically and microbiologically, should be considered during the assessment of patients with PE.

Behavioral and urological evaluation of a testicular pain model

OBJECTIVES

To develop an animal model of testicular pain to examine the hypothesis that neural crosstalk between testicular nociceptors and bladder reflex pathways may underlie bladder overactivity. In chronic pelvic pain disorders, neural crosstalk is thought to underlie referred pain and functional interaction in pelvic organs, and patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) suffer from pain in multiple organs, including the testes and perineum, as well as increased urinary frequency.

METHODS

In male Wistar rats, acetic acid was injected into the testes, and behaviors and bladder functions with conscious cystometry were examined. The effects of indomethacin and capsaicin pretreatment on both behaviors and bladder functional changes induced by acetic acid injection were examined. The weight of the testes and bladder after the testicular injection were measured.

RESULTS

Injection of acetic acid (1% and 3%) induced pain behaviors and bladder overactivity proportional to the concentration. Indomethacin reduced, and capsaicin pretreatment almost completely abolished, both pain behavior and bladder overactivity induced by acetic acid injection. Administration of acetic acid increased testis weight and blanched the tissue, but no apparent changes were observed in the bladder.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of dilute acetic acid into the testes produces a reproducible testicular pain model involving testicular inflammation and activation of primary afferent C fibers and suggests a neural pathway for interaction between testicular pain and bladder overactivity. This study may provide a simple method to evaluate testicular pain, related bladder overactivity, and insight into the pathophysiology of bladder overactivity in patients with CP/CPPS.

Primary care physician practices in the diagnosis, treatment and management of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

To describe practice patterns of primary care physicians (PCPs) for the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), we surveyed 556 PCPs in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles (RR=52%). Only 62% reported ever seeing a patient like the one described in the vignette. In all, 16% were 'not at all' familiar with CP/CPPS, and 48% were 'not at all' familiar with the National Institutes of Health classification scheme. PCPs reported practice patterns regarding CP/CPPS, which are not supported by evidence. Although studies suggest that CP/CPPS is common, many PCPs reported little or no familiarity, important knowledge deficits and limited experience in managing men with this syndrome.

Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a feasibility study and the first clinical results

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcome of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 34 patients who had had CPPS for >or=3 months, who were investigated in two subsequent studies. ESWT was administered using a perineal approach with two different standard ESWT devices with and without an ultrasonographic positioning system. The follow-up was at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after ESWT, to evaluate the effects on pain, quality of life and voiding. Imaging studies and changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were used to investigate the safety and side-effects of ESWT.

RESULTS

All patients completed the treatments and follow-up; there were statistically significant improvements in pain and quality of life after ESWT. Voiding conditions were temporarily improved but with no statistical significance. Perineal ESWT was easy and safe to administer with no anaesthesia on an outpatient basis. Side-effects could be excluded clinically, by imaging studies and by changes in PSA level.

CONCLUSION

Perineal ESWT must be considered as a promising new therapy for CPPS, in particular as it is easy to apply and causes no side-effects.

Chronic prostatitis: Current concepts

PURPOSE

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common condition. It causes significant suffering to the patients and constitutes a sizeable workload for the urologists. The purpose of this review is to describe the currently accepted concepts regarding the aspects of CP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant papers on the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, evaluation and management of CP were identified through a search of MEDLINE using text terms "prostatitis", "chronic prostatitis" and "chronic pelvic pain syndrome". The list of articles thus obtained was supplemented by manual search of bibliographies of the identified articles and also by exploring the MEDLINE option "Related Articles".

RESULTS

The salient points of the relevant articles on each aspect of CP have been summarized in the form of a non-systematic narrative review.

CONCLUSION

Chronic prostatitis is caused by a variety of infective and non-infective factors and is characterized by a rather long remitting and relapsing clinical course. The diagnosis is based on symptoms comprising pain and nonspecific urinary and/or ejaculatory disturbances and microbiological tests to localize bacteria and/or leucocytes in segmented urinary tract specimens. The contemporary classification was proposed by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIH/NIDDK). National Institutes of Health - Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) is the patient evaluation tool used extensively in clinical practice and research. Management should be individualized, multimodal and of an appropriate duration.

Impact of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms on the quality of life in a large group of men

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of chronic prostatitis (CP) and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) symptoms in a large group of men, using the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and to evaluate which of the NIH-CPSI symptoms had the most detrimental effect on quality of life (QoL).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The NIH-CPSI was completed by 1273 men during a male-health promotion event. The presence of CP/CPPS-like symptoms was defined according to the NIH-CPSI criteria (perineal pain or ejaculatory pain and NIH-CPSI-pain score >/= 4). Finally, using linear regression analyses we evaluated the effect of each questionnaire symptom on the NIH-CPSI-QoL domain.

RESULTS

The mean (range) age of the men was 57.6 (40-89) years; 133 (10.5%) reported CP/CPPS-like symptoms, with 62 (4.9%) reporting mild and 71 (5.6%) reporting moderate to severe CP/CPPS-like symptoms. Men with CP/CPPS-like symptoms had higher NIH-CPSI-QoL scores, showing a greater detriment of QoL (4.9 vs 2.5; P < 0.001). Of all NIH-CPSI symptoms, urinary frequency was associated with the least favourable QoL, followed by incomplete bladder emptying, pain frequency and pain intensity. The individual pain location had no significant impact on the QoL.

CONCLUSION

In a large healthy population CP/CPPS-like symptoms are common and have an important impact on QoL. Functional CP/CPPS-like symptoms have a greater detrimental effect on QoL than pain symptoms. Therefore, these symptoms should represent the main therapeutic targets in affected patients.

Painful ejaculation

We reviewed previous publications on post-orgasmic pain with reference to prevalence, epidemiology and treatment options, using the Ovid and PubMed (updated May 2006) databases to comprehensively search MEDLINE for reports on post-orgasmic pain that included peer-reviewed English-language articles. Official proceedings of internationally known scientific societies were also assessed. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies we did not apply meta- analytic techniques to the data. The incidence of post-orgasmic pain is 1-9.7%. The ejaculatory pain is associated with prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and ejaculatory duct obstruction; it is also described in patients after procedures like radical prostatectomy. Aetiopathogenic theories include those referring to bladder neck closure and pudendal neuropathy. The treatment options vary from self-care, a 'perineal hyperprotection programme' to medication with the alpha-blocker, topiramate, and even surgical procedures like removing a section of the sacrotuberous ligament, neurolysis of the pudendal nerve or removing a section of the sacrospinous ligament. This is the first update of the subject, with reference to prevalence, epidemiology and treatment options. There is a need for adequately powered, prospective randomized trials on aetiology and treatment options.