Chronic Prostatitis Syndrome: A Common, but Poorly Understood Condition. Part II

The Chronic Prostatitis Syndrome (CPS) is defined as a complex of symptoms which may arise in the prostate itself or in neighbouring organs and structures, including the pelvic floor, as implied in the recent NIH classification and terminology: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS). It may have different aetiologies and physiopathologic mechanisms making treatment difficult and often unrewarding. As infection can be demonstrated in some cases and suspected in other ones, antibacterial treatment is often adopted as first measure. Fluoroquinolones, to be administered for at least 30 days, are presently the drugs of choice. Trimethroprim is another accepted option. Additional treatments include alpha-blockers, antiinflammatory agents and many other drugs and various treatment modalities, from prostatic massage to hyperthermia. There are few randomized studies versus placebo and many of them have insufficient statistical power. Further trials are needed. # 2006 European Association of Urology and European Board of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.