Chronic prostatitis: symptom survey with follow-up clinical evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (National Institutes of Health Category III prostatitis) in Penang, Malaysia and estimate the proportion of cases ascertained by population survey that met consensus clinical criteria for "chronic prostatitis."


METHODS
One percent of 20 to 50-year-old men in Penang, Malaysia were surveyed using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. A clinical evaluation that included lower urinary tract localization studies was recommended for symptomatic subjects who met the survey definition to identify bacterial prostatitis and other diagnoses that would exclude them from the consensus clinical definition for chronic prostatitis (Category III).


RESULTS
Of 3147 subjects surveyed, 275 (8.7%) met the survey criteria for chronic prostatitis. The prevalence of chronic prostatitis was 8.0% among Malays, 8.9% among non-Malays, and 16% among noncitizens (P = 0.025). The prevalence increased with age: 6.3% in 20 to 30-year-old men, 8.9% in 31 to 40-year-old men, and 12.6% in 41 to 50-year-old men (P <0.001). Of 87 subjects evaluated clinically, 65 (75%) met the consensus clinical criteria for chronic prostatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic prostatitis represents an important, international healthcare problem. A thorough clinical evaluation is necessary to verify that chronic prostatitis is indeed responsible for a patient's pelvic pain and lower urinary tract symptoms.
Cheah
Phaik Yeong
PY
University of Science Malaysia School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Penang, Malaysia.
Liong
Men Long
ML
Yuen
Kah Hay
KH
Teh
Chu Leong
CL
Khor
Timothy
T
Yang
Jin Rong
JR
Yap
Hin Wai
HW
Krieger
John N
JN
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology