OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transperineal ultrasonic therapy for chronic prostatitis (CP) by analyzing the scores of NIH-CPSI and the results of prostate fluid routine examination.

METHODSWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, multi-centered trial on 96 CP patients that met the inclusion criteria. We divided the patients into groups A (trial) and B (control) of equal number, the former treated by transperineal ultrasound, while the latter with the same machine but no ultrasound waves, 10 min a time qd alt for 2 weeks. Then we evaluated the therapeutic effect and safety by comparing the scores of NIH-CP-SI and counts of white blood cells (WBC) and lecithin corpuscles (LC) in the prostate fluid between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effectiveness rate was 70.83% in group A and 25% in group B (P < 0.01). The scores on prostate pain, urinary symptoms and quality of life as well as the total NIH-CPSI score were significantly improved in group A as compared with pretreatment (P < 0.05), and so were the prostate pain score and total NIH-CPSI score in group B (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the scores on prostate pain and urinary symptoms and total NIH-CPSI score after treatment (P < 0.05), but not in any of the NIH-CPSI scores before treatment (P > 0.05), nor were there any significant differences in the counts of WBCs and LC either between the two groups or within each group before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Two patients experienced adverse events in group A, and 1 in group B (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTransperineal ultrasonic therapy is highly effective for CP, especially in relieving prostate pain. With its advantages of safety, easy operation and high acceptability, it deserves a wider clinical application.