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. 2015 Apr;47(4):757-64.
doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000472.

Physical activity and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Ran Zhang  1 , Andrea K Chomistek, Jordan D Dimitrakoff, Edward L Giovannucci, Walter C Willett, Bernard A Rosner, Kana Wu
Affiliations

Physical activity and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Ran Zhang et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent urologic disorder among men, but its etiology is still poorly understood. Our objective was to examine the relation between physical activity and incidence of CP/CPPS in a large cohort of male health professionals.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study followed from 1986 to 2008. The study population included 20,918 men who completed all CP/CPPS questions on the 2008 questionnaire. Leisure-time physical activity, including type and intensity of activity, was measured by questionnaire in 1986. A National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index pain score was calculated on the basis of the responses on the 2008 questionnaire. Participants with pain scores ≥8 were considered CP/CPPS cases (n = 689).

Results: Higher leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower risk of CP/CPPS. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio comparing >35.0 to ≤3.5 MET·h·wk of physical activity was 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.92; P for trend <0.001). Observed inverse associations between physical activity and CP/CPPS were similar for both moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities. Sedentary behavior, measured as time spent watching television, was not associated with risk of CP/CPPS (P for trend = 0.64).

Conclusions: Findings from this study, the first large scale and most comprehensive study to date on this association, suggest that higher levels of leisure-time physical activity may lower risk of CP/CPPS in middle-age and older men.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by ACSM.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Odds ratios (95% CI) for CP/CPPS according to combinations of vigorous and moderate physical activity
Reference was men with low moderate (≤ 8.8 MET-h/wk) and low vigorous physical activity (≤ 8.8 MET-h/wk). P for interaction = 0.03.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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