This study aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on erectile function in Chinese patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). A retrospective study was conducted on 657 CP/CPPS patients who visited The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (Changsha, China) from November 2018 to November 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timeline before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in China. The severity of CP/CPPS, penile erection status, anxiety, and depression was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales, respectively. Compared with patients before the COVID-19 outbreak, more CP/CPPS patients developed severe erectile dysfunction (ED) due to depression and anxiety caused by the pandemic. After developing moderate-to-severe ED, mild and moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS patients exhibited more apparent symptoms of anxiety and depression ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), forming a vicious cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the psychological status of CP/CPPS patients, exacerbating their clinical symptoms and complicating ED. The exacerbation of clinical symptoms further worsens the anxiety and depression status of patients, forming a vicious cycle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, paying more attention to the mental health of CP/CPPS patients, strengthening psychological interventions, and achieving better treatment outcomes are necessary.
Male ; Humans ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Pandemics ; Penile Erection ; Prostatitis/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; East Asian People ; COVID-19/complications* ; Chronic Disease ; Pelvic Pain/complications*

This study aims to validate our hypothesis that acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) may contribute to the symptom of pain in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP). We first established a CP rat model, then isolated the L5-S2 spinal dorsal horn neurons for further studies. ASIC1a was knocked down and its effects on the expression of neurogenic inflammation-related factors in the dorsal horn neurons of rat spinal cord were evaluated. The effect of ASIC1a on the Ca²⁺ ion concentration in the dorsal horn neurons of rat spinal cord was measured by the intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]i) intensity. The effect of ASIC1a on the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was also determined. ASIC1a was significantly upregulated in the CP rat model as compared with control rats. Acid-induced ASIC1a expression increased [Ca²⁺]i intensity in the dorsal horn neurons of rat spinal cord. ASIC1a also increased the levels of neurogenic inflammation-related factors and p-p38 expression in the acid-treated dorsal horn neurons. Notably, ASIC1a knockdown significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the levels of p-p38 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in acid-treated dorsal horn neurons were significantly decreased in the presence of PcTx-1, BAPTA-AM, or SB203580. Our results showed that ASIC1a may contribute to the symptom of pain in patients with CP, at least partially, by regulating the p38/MAPK signaling pathway.
Acid Sensing Ion Channel Blockers/pharmacology* ; Acid Sensing Ion Channels/genetics* ; Animals ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Chelating Agents/pharmacology* ; Chronic Disease ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Egtazic Acid/pharmacology* ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Imidazoles/pharmacology* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/genetics* ; Male ; Pain/genetics* ; Peptides/pharmacology* ; Phosphorylation/drug effects* ; Posterior Horn Cells/metabolism* ; Prostatitis/complications* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Spider Venoms/pharmacology* ; Up-Regulation ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of the saw palmetto fruit extract (SPFE) in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with type ⅢA prostatitis. METHODS: This retrospective study included 54 cases of type ⅢA prostatitis treated in the Outpatient Department of our hospital from January to December 2015. The patients were aged 35.06 ± 5.85 years, with a mean disease course of 3.8 ± 2.1 years, and all received oral medication of SPFE Capsules at the dose of 320 mg qd for 12 weeks. We assessed the therapeutic effects by comparing the NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom indexes (NIH-CPSI), voiding diary, International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), and results of urodynamic examination before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, both NIH-CPSI and IPSS were significantly decreased after medication (27.61 ± 3.76 vs 18.6 ± 5.34, P <0.01; 20.44 ± 4.51 vs 10.96±4.62, P <0.01), and urodynamic examination and voiding diary showed dramatic post-medication improvement in the average urinary flow rate (［8.05±1.42］ vs ［12.05±2.60］ ml/s, P <0.01 ), maximum urinary flow rate (［14.22±1.74］ vs ［21.32±4.51］ ml/s, P <0.01), residual urine volume (［46.15±16.57］ vs ［14.55±10.21］ ml, P <0.01), maximum urethral closure pressure (［76.52±3.53］ vs ［65.32±4.75］ cm H2O, P <0.01), mean urinary volume (［124.63±40.55］ vs ［285.93±58.68］ ml, P <0.01), urination frequency (16.96±4.17 vs 8.96±2.50, P <0.01), and nocturia frequency (8.94±3.23 vs 3.15±1.90, P <0.01). No apparent adverse reactions were observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS SPFE Capsules can safely and effectively improve LUTS and thus the quality of life of patients with type ⅢA prostatitis.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; complications ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination ; Urological Agents ; therapeutic use

Objective: To investigate the value of the content of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) and seminal plasma (SP) as a combined predictor in the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility. METHODS: This study included 62 fathers (group A) and 67 infertile men (group B), all with type IIIA prostatitis, and another 57 controls with no genitourinary tract disease (group C). We measured the NE contents in the EPS and SP, obtained the results of routine semen and EPS examinations and Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), and calculated the ratio of EPS NE/SP NE by binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The combined predictor of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was SP NE-2 × EPS NE. Among the 129 patients with type IIIA prostatitis, the combined predictor was correlated strongly negatively with the WBC count in the EPS (r = －0.914, P <0.01), negatively with CPSI, sperm concentration, sperm mobility and sperm viability (P <0.01), but not significantly with the WBC count or pH value in the SP (P >0.05). The mean values of the combined predictor in groups A, B, and C were －2 238 (95% CI: －2 595 to －2 054), －1 511 (95% CI: －1 778 to －1 307), and －148 (95% CI: －181 to －118), respectively, with statistically significant differences between the cases and controls as well as between groups A and B (P <0.01). The area under the ROC curve of the combined predictor for the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was 0.71 (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The content of neutrophil elastase in the EPS combined with that in the seminal plasma contributes to the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility, which is superior to either the neutrophil elastase content in the EPS or that in the seminal plasma used alone.
Biomarkers ; analysis ; Chronic Disease ; Clinical Enzyme Tests ; methods ; Fathers ; Humans ; Infertility ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Leukocyte Elastase ; analysis ; Male ; Prostatitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Semen ; enzymology ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility

Objective To evaluate the effect of interventions for premature ejaculation (PE) in the management of patients with chronic prostatitis and secondary premature ejaculation. Methods Totally 90 patients diagnosed as chronic prostatitis with PE were randomly divided into control group (n=45) and interventional group (n=45). Control group received a conventional therapy consisted of oral administration of antibiotics,α-receptor blocker,and proprietary Chinese medicine for clearing away heat and promoting diuresis. Interventional group received a conventional therapy combined with treatment for ameliorating the PE symptom (oral dapoxetine on-demand and ejaculation control exercise).National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI),Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation (CIPE)-5 questionnaires,intravaginal ejaculatory latency time,and the number of coituses per week were applied for evaluating the treatment outcomes. Results Follow-up was accomplished in 35 and 38 patients in the control and interventional group.The CIPE-5 score,intravaginal ejaculatory latency time,and the number of coituses per week were significantly improved in both two groups but more significantly in interventional group (all P<0.05). The NIH-CPSI pain,urination,and quality of life subscores and total score were improved significantly in both two groups after treatment,but the NIH-CPSI pain and quality of life subscores had been improved more significantly in the interventional group (all P<0.05). The variation of NIH-CPSI was negatively correlated with that of CIPE-5 in both two groups (r=-0.362,P=0.016;r=-0.330,P=0.021). Conclusions For CP with secondary PE patients,the interventions for PE can not only improve the quality of sexual life but also help improve the NIH-CPSI pain and quality of life subscores. PE should be routinely screened and treated during the management of CP.p.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Chronic Pain ; Coitus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Ejaculation ; Humans ; Male ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Prostatitis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-6 in the prostatic fluid with serum levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by prostatitis.

METHODSA series of 211 patients undergoing surgery of BPH were divided into BPH group (n=75) and BPH with prostatitis group (n=136) according to the white blood cell count in the prostatic fluid. The clinical and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups, and stepwise regression analysis was used to assess the association of IL-8 and IL-6 with serum PSA level.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in age, BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, IPSS score, PSA-Ratio, or prostate volume between the two groups (P<0.05). The patients with prostatitis had significantly increased serum PSA and prostate fluid IL-8 and IL-6 levels compared with those without prostatitis (P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that IL-8 and IL-6 levels and white blood cell count in the prostatic fluid were all positively correlated with serum PSA level.

CONCLUSIONProstatitis is an important risk factor for elevated serum PSA level in patients with BPH, and both IL-8 and IL-6 levels in the prostatic fluid are correlated with serum PSA level.

Body Fluids ; chemistry ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; chemistry ; Interleukin-8 ; chemistry ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; diagnosis ; Prostatitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the possible pain mechanism of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODSThe models of CP/CPPS were established in male Wistar rats by the autoimmune method. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was detected using Von Frey filament. The expressions of the substance P and c-fos in the prostate and spinal L5-S2 segments were determined by immunohistochemistry followed by analysis of their correlation with CP/CPPS.

RESULTSCompared with the control rats, the CP/CPPS models showed significantly decreased PWT (P < 0.05), remarkable prostatic inflammation, enlarged scope of lesions, and obvious interstitial lymphocytic infiltration (P < 0.05). Both the expressions of substance P and c-fos were markedly elevated in the prostate and spinal dorsal horn (L5-S2) of the rat models (P < 0.05), but the expression of substance P in the prostate exhibited no correlation with that in the spinal cord (r = 0.099, P = 0.338), nor did that of c-fos (r = 0.027, P = 0.454).

CONCLUSIONThe upregulated expressions of substance P and c-fos in the spinal cord L5-S2 sections may be associated with the pain mechanism of CP/CPPS.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; metabolism ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatitis ; complications ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Syndrome ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of Shugan Jieyu Capsules (SJC) on type III B prostatitis complicated by sexual dysfunction.

METHODSA total of 98 patients with type III B prostatitis complicated by sexual dysfunction were equally randomized to a control and a trial group, the former treated with the combination of biofeedback/electrical stimulation and the α-blocker Tamsulosin Hydrochloride, and the latter with oral SJC in addition, both for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the severity of the symptoms was determined with NIH-CPSI, the patients'sexual function evaluated with CIPE-5 and IIEF-5, and their anxiety, depression and other psychological problems assessed with Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD). The results were subjected to statistical analysis and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSStatistically significant differences were found between the control and trial groups in the NIH-CPSI score (26.31 ± 7.91 vs 18.84 ± 6.63, P < 0.01), CIPE-5 premature ejaculation score (10. 41 ± 3.03 vs 14.37 ± 2.35, P < 0.05), IIEF-5 score (10.29 ± 3.97 vs 14.69 ± 4.19, P < 0.05), HAMA score (24.31 ± 1.78 vs 13.41 ± 4.21, P < 0.01), and HAMD score (25.24 ± 2.83 vs 14.49 ± 4.44, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSJC can effectively relieve anxiety, depression and other psychological problems in type III B prostatitis patients with sexual dysfunction and improve their clinical symptoms as well.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; Anxiety ; drug therapy ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Capsules ; Depression ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Prostatitis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and safety of extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) in the treatment of pain symptom of type III B prostatitis.

METHODSWe treated 50 cases of type III B prostatitis by ESW once a week for 4 weeks. Then we evaluated the clinical effect and safety of the therapy based on the NIH-CPSI scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, IIEF-5 scores, prostate volume and morphous, state of urination, color of urine, results of routine semen analysis, and changes of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β) in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS).

RESULTSAll the patients successfully accomplished the treatment. Compared with the baseline, decreases were observed after 4 weeks of cytokine treatment in the pain scores (14. 61 ± 1. 82 vs 9. 36 ± 1. 47, P <0. 01), urination symptom scores (4. 59 ± 1. 01 vs.4. 66 ± 0. 89, P >0. 05) , quality of life scores (6. 51 ± 1. 03 vs 4. 56 ± 1. 02, P <0. 01), NIH-CPSI (25. 43 ± 1. 72 vs 18. 28 ± 2. 32, P <0. 01 ), and VAS (6. 59 ± 1. 10 vs 3. 02 ± 1. 07, P < 0. 01). The concentration of IL-6 in the EPS was significantly increased ([55.82 ± 6. 28] vs [86.59 ± 4. 55] ng/ml, P <0. 01) , while the level of TNF-α ([3.89 ± 0. 12] vs [3. 19 ± 0.22] ng/ml, P<0.01) and that of IL-1β ([3.21 ± 1.01] vs [1.48 ± 0.95] ng/ml, P< 0. 01) remarkably reduced after treatment. However, there were no statistically significant differences in IIEF-5 scores (18. 58 ± 2. 03 vs 18. 51 1. 89, P >0. 05) or various sperm parameters before and after treatment (P >0. 05). And no significant changes were observed in the prostate volume, morphous or internal echoes.

CONCLUSIONThe ESW therapy is effective and safe for the pain symptom of type III B prostatitis.

Adult ; Body Fluids ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; etiology ; metabolism ; Pain Management ; methods ; Prostatitis ; complications ; metabolism ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; methods ; Urine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of histological prostatitis (HP) on the clinical features of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) and its clinical significance.

METHODSWe retrospectively studied the data of 273 cases of BPH and 240 cases of PCa, including age, prostate volume, total prostatic special antigen (tPSA), prostatic special antigen density (PSAD), maximum urinary flow rate (MFR) and acute urinary retention (AUR).

RESULTSTotally, 186 cases of BPH (68.13%) and 45 cases of PCa (18.75%) were complicated by HP, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the patients with BPH only, those complicated by HP showed significantly elevated tPSA, PSAD and total prostate volume (all P < 0.05), decreased MFR (P < 0.05) and increased risk of AUR (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the patients' age between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of tPSA and PSAD were remarkably higher in the PCa patients complicated by HP than in those with PCa only (all P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in the other indexes between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHP may play a certain role in the progenesis and progression of HP and PCa, but HP is associated more closely with BPH.

Aged ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; etiology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; Prostatitis ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Retention ; etiology