[Prostatitis syndrome]

Prostatitis syndrome is a multifactorial disease with a largely unknown etiology. Quite different therapeutic options are therefore recommended. According to the new NIH classification, pathogens can be cultured only in acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. A long-term antimicrobial therapy, mainly with fluoroquinolones, is then recommended. Most patients suffer from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) which can be subdivided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory types. Whether the inflammatory CP/CPPS is an infectious disease remains uncertain. The effect of an antibiotic therapy therefore remains debatable. In case of proven or suspected functional infravesical obstruction, treatment with a-receptor blockers is recommended. Accompanying symptomatic therapy is also recommended. It is important, however, to keep the patient fully informed about the diagnostic and therapeutic limitations.