Management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS): an evidence-based approach

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).MethodsThe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the treatment for CP/CPPS all over the world were searched. MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2007), EMBASE (January 1988 to June 2007), and 4 Chinese databases were electronically searched. The studies included in the references of eligible studies were additionally searched. Two reviewers independently screened the studies for eligibility, evaluated the quality and extracted the data from the eligible studies, with confirmation by crosschecking. Divergences of opinion were settled by discussion or consulted by the experts. Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 4. 2 software.ResultsTwelve original studies involving 1 003 participants met inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, alpha-blockers could improve the symptoms of CP/CPPS obviously with WMD of NIH-CPSI, total score and pain score were –4. 10 (95%CI: –6. 92 to –1.28) and –1.68 (95%CI: –2.54 to –0.82). Antibiotics could not improve the symptoms obviously with WMD of NIH-CP-SI; total score and pain score were –2.71 (95%CI: –4.78 to –0.64) and –0.86 (95%CI: –2.07 to 0.36). Flavoxate could not improve the NIH-CPSI total score obviously, but could relieve the pain, with WMD of NIH-CPSI total score and pain score being –2.96 (95%CI: –5.17 to –0.74) and –2.31 (95%CI: –4.05 to 0.03). Prostat could improve the NIH-CPSI total score obviously, but could not relieve the pain, with WMD of NIH-CPSI total score and pain score being –7.60 (95%CI: –9.97 to –5.23) and –2.02 (95%CI: –4.07 to 0.04).ConclusionDrug intervention could improve total symptoms of CP/CPPS in some degree, but no universally effective treatment is available that can prove significant lasting benefit for all the symptoms of CP/CPPS. Future RCT must use an appropriate sample size and optimal duration and follow-up of participants. It is important to improve the quality of internal original studies.