OBJECTIVETo investigate the sexual function and the quality of sexual life in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP), and to analyze the correlated factors and their influence on the quality of life (QOL) of the CP patients.

METHODSWe randomly selected 148 CP patients as the CP group and 71 healthy men as controls, asked them to fill out a questionnaire on sexual function and the quality of sexual life, obtained their scores on NHI-CPSI, and comparatively analyzed the results. We also made analyses on the influence of age, disease course, CP symptom scores and EPS level on sexual function and the quality of sexual life, as well as the impact of CP symptoms, sexual dysfunction and sexual life quality on the QOL of the CP patients.

RESULTSNo retro-ejaculation was found in either of the two groups. The mean score on sexual function and sexual life quality was 38.1 +/- 7.9 and 47.8 +/- 3.1 in the CP and the control group, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the CP patients showed significantly decreased scores on libido, erectile function, ejaculation, orgasm frequency, self-confidence in sexual life, sexual satisfaction, and the partners' orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction (P < 0.05). The indexes of sexual function and the QOL score were significantly correlated with CP symptoms, but not with the disease course and the WBC and lecithin counts in the prostatic fluid. The age of the patients was significantly correlated with the score of libido but not with other indexes of sexual function. CP symptoms, including pain, micturition and reduced sexual function and sexual life quality, along with the decreased orgasm frequency and sexual satisfaction of the patients' spouses, remarkably influenced the patients' QOL.

CONCLUSIONCP symptoms significantly decrease the indexes of sexual function of the patients and, in turn, their sexual life quality and QOL. Sexual dysfunction and reduced sexual life quality of CP patients are significantly correlated with CP symptoms, but not with the course of the disease, the age of the patient and the results of EPS detection.