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Ameliorative effect of allopurinol on nonbacterial prostatitis: a parallel double-blind controlled study
B E Persson1, G Ronquist, M Ekblom
1Department of Urology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Purpose:
Nonbacterial prostatitis is a common problem in young men. It is a disease that is often recurrent and each episode lasts for several months. Different causative mechanisms of the disease have been discussed, including identified and unidentified microorganisms, stone formation and psychological factors. We have demonstrated in a previous study that urinary reflux (as shown by a high creatinine concentration in prostatic fluid) occurs to a varying extent into the prostatic ducts, and this reflux has been related to prostatic pain and urate concentration in expressed prostatic secretion.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a paralled double-blind controlled study of the objective and subjective effects of allopurinol on patients with nonbacterial prostatitis. Twenty patients received placebo, 18 received 300 mg. allopurinol daily and 16 received 600 mg allopurinol daily for 240 days. All patients began medication at the same time regardless of whether the disease was in an active state. No side effects were noted in the treatment groups.
Results:
Significant effects were noted on the concentrations of serum urate, urine urate, expressed prostatic secretion urate, expressed prostatic secretion xanthine and subjective discomfort.
Conclusions:
Allopurinol has a significant, positive effect on nonbacterial prostatitis. It is safe and worthy of trial for all at least a 3-month period at each episode to relieve the symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis.
Insights
Allopurinol significantly improves symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis by reducing urate levels. This safe treatment is recommended for at least three months to manage recurrent episodes effectively.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nonbacterial prostatitis is a common, recurrent condition in young men, often lasting months.
- Potential causes include microorganisms, stones, psychological factors, and urinary reflux into prostatic ducts.
- Previous research linked urinary reflux to prostatic pain and urate concentration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the objective and subjective effects of allopurinol in patients with nonbacterial prostatitis.
- To assess the impact of allopurinol on urate and xanthine concentrations and patient-reported discomfort.
Main Methods:
- A parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted.
- 18 patients received 300 mg allopurinol daily, 16 received 600 mg daily, and 20 received placebo for 240 days.
- No adverse effects were reported in any treatment group.
Main Results:
- Allopurinol demonstrated significant effects on serum urate, urine urate, and expressed prostatic secretion urate concentrations.
- A notable reduction in expressed prostatic secretion xanthine was observed.
- Subjective patient discomfort showed significant improvement.
Conclusions:
- Allopurinol has a significant positive effect on nonbacterial prostatitis.
- The treatment is safe and recommended for a trial of at least three months per episode.
- Allopurinol effectively relieves symptoms associated with nonbacterial prostatitis.