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Review
. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):e20243.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.20243. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Contemporary Management of Chronic Prostatitis

Ahmed S Khattak  1 , Nicholas Raison  2 , Arie Hawazie  3 , Azhar Khan  1 , Oliver Brunckhorst  4 , Kamran Ahmed  5
Affiliations
Review

Contemporary Management of Chronic Prostatitis

Ahmed S Khattak et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common condition, yet remains a challenge to treat in clinical practice due to the heterogeneity of symptoms. The aim of this article is to undertake a narrative review using key research papers in this field in order to develop a treatment algorithm and research recommendations for the management of type II and type III prostatitis taking a broader look at interventions beyond those recommended in the European Association of Urology Guidelines. A search was performed using multiple databases and trial registries with no language restrictions. Searches were completed on March 1, 2021, with a focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. However, in areas with a dearth of such studies, we included case series and observational studies, thus allowing us to assess current levels of evidence and areas of potential research. We identified and reviewed 63 studies. The level of evidence and the quality of trials were assessed and reported. Research recommendations, where applicable, were also highlighted. CP/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a heterogenous term referring to diverse symptomology that requires tailored treatments depending on the patients' complaints. After a review of the evidence available, we present a treatment algorithm that is based on the much-discussed UPOINT (urinary symptoms, psychosocial dysfunction, organ-specific findings, infection, neurologic/systemic, and tenderness of muscles) framework. Future studies should focus on multimodal therapy based on such frameworks and provide the future direction of this complex condition.

Keywords: chronic prostatitis; cpps; management; pelvic pain; prostate.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Diagnostic algorithm
Adapted from Magistro et al. [7] IIEF=International Index of Erection Function; IPSS=International Prostate Symptom Score; DRE=digital rectal examination; MSU=midstream specimen of urine; UTI=urinary tract infection
Figure 2
Figure 2. Flow chart for selection of studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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