An epidemiological study of patients with chronic prostatitis

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Andrology
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic prostatitis is a common condition affecting men, with varying prevalence and symptom profiles globally.
• Understanding the specific characteristics of chronic prostatitis in China is crucial for targeted healthcare interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causes, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of chronic prostatitis in a large Chinese patient cohort.
• To compare the symptom prevalence and treatment satisfaction in China with international data.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 2498 male patients diagnosed with chronic prostatitis (aged 20-59) from urological clinics in Anhui, China.
• Data collected via anonymous questionnaires, including demographics, disease history, treatment status, and the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI).

Main Results:

• The majority of patients (78.2%) were under 40 years old, with prevalence decreasing with age.
• The most common symptoms were voiding discomfort (74.4%) and urinary frequency (65.8%). Pelvic pain was reported by 52.3% and pain on urination by 23.0%.
• Only 34.9% of patients were satisfied with previous treatments, with antibiotics being the most common but often ineffective therapy.

Conclusions:

• Chronic prostatitis in China predominantly affects younger men, with voiding dysfunction as the primary symptom.
• Pain symptoms, particularly pain on urination, appear less prevalent in China compared to other regions.
• Current treatment strategies, largely relying on antibiotics, yield unsatisfactory outcomes for many patients, indicating a need for improved therapeutic approaches.