Chronic Prostatitis and Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Another Autoimmune Disease?

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), characterized by chronic pain in the perineum or lower abdomen regions, is a frequent disorder in men. Previous studies demonstrated that the immune mediators, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and immunoglobulins, are elevated in the expressed prostate secretions and seminal fluid of CP/CPPS men. The memory T, T helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and Th22 cells increase in the peripheral blood of CP/CPPS men. Additionally, prostate antigens specific-autoreactive T cells are identified in CP/CPPS patients. After generally reviewing and comparing the inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases and CP/CPPS, we presumed that CP/CPPS is more likely to be defined as an autoimmune disease. Thus, a better understanding of autoimmune diseases would contribute to a deeper understanding of the CP/CPPS and provide new inspirations for the treatment of this disease.

Prostatitis: epidemiology of inflammation

Approximately 8 million prostatitis-related outpatient visits per year have been reported worldwide. Only a small percentage presents with bacterial prostatitis. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome/prostatodynia is a frustrating disease for patients and caregivers. This paper is an attempt to analyze causes and types of inflammation and to determine if inflammation may have an impact on treatment and outcome. Is inflammation even a relevant factor in the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome? Do we need to begin to look for different factors involved in the development of this often crippling disease?