Illness behavior and personality changes in patients with chronic prostatitis during a two-year follow-up period

Abstract

Illness behavior and personality changes during a 2-year follow-up period were studied in 40 patients with chronic prostatitis. In the first study, the existence of psychic problems among the subjects was high. Sexual problems were striking. During the follow-up period the personality of the patients did not change, but subjective well-being, both psychosocial and somatic, was impaired. Sexual problems and homosexual behavior also increased. In addition, the cooperation of the patients markedly decreased and their illness behavior became problematic. The results indicate a strong need for psychic support of these patients.