Chronic Prostate Inflammation Predicts Symptom Progression in Patients with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain

Purpose: We examined the 4-year longitudinal association between histological prostate inflammation and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We also studied the development of new and progressing existing chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men randomized to placebo in the REDUCE (REduction by DUtasteride of prostate Cancer Events) population.

Materials And Methods: At multiple time points during 4 years univariable and multivariable analyses were performed between acute and chronic inflammation detected on baseline biopsies and the incidence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome-like symptoms, defined as a positive response to CPSI (Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index) question 1a-perineal pain and/or question 2b-ejaculatory pain and a total pain subscore of at least 4, and progression of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, defined as a 4-point or greater increase from baseline in total CPSI score, in patients with a baseline categorization of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Results: Of the 4,109 men in the study acute and chronic inflammation was detected in 641 (15.6%) and 3,216 (78.3%), respectively. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptom status was available for 2,816 at baseline. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome-like symptoms developed in 317 of 2,150 men without the condition at baseline who had followup data. Acute and chronic inflammation was not associated with the incidence of the symptoms (p >0.1). At a median followup of 12.0 months 109 of 145 men with baseline chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and followup data showed symptomatic progression. Chronic but not acute inflammation was significantly associated with shorter time to progression on univariable and multivariable analyses (p = 0.029 and 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions: Inflammation is not associated with an increased risk of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. However, chronic inflammation predicts the risk of symptomatic progression in men in whom chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms have been identified.