Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain in men: aetiology, diagnosis and management¹

The document discussed chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) in men, highlighting that CPPS was a common condition with a prevalence of 2.5–3%, characterized by genital or pelvic pain lasting more than 3 months, without an identifiable infection. The etiology of CPPS was unknown, though studies suggested a neuromuscular origin and a role for proinflammatory cytokines. The management of chronic bacterial prostatitis involved quinolone antibiotics, while CPPS management was unsatisfactory due to the lack of reliable treatments. Commonly tried treatments included antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and alpha blockers, with newer approaches exploring finasteride, quercetin, and rofecoxib. A systematic review indicated that current diagnostic and treatment methods for CPPS lacked a robust evidence base.