Recent trend of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) management

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and pelvic pain caused by diseases of the prostate have decreased the quality of life in men. Epidemiologic studies report that the prevalence of prostatitis-like symptoms is approximately similar to diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The rate of prostatitis-like symptoms was reported to range from 2.2% to 9.7%, and mean prevalence was 8.2% [1]. Prostatitis is a relatively common disease seen in the field of urology that reduces the quality of life of men in many ways. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published that there are four categories in prostatitis, among which chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) corresponds to category III. According to the recommendation of the International Association for the Study of Pain, chronic pelvic pain syndrome and prostate pain syndrome have a similar definition and they are widely used recently [2]. A valid tool which can be used to assess CP/CPPS was developed as represented by the National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) [3]. A previous study revealed that the prevalence of NIH-CPSI for the assessment of CP/CPPS is about 8%–10% [4]. Only 20 years ago, collecting prostatic secretion was performed to obtain bacterial culture, to confirm and treat bacterial causes of chronic prostatitis. Also, antibiotic treatment was prescribed for such symptoms [5]. In 1995, the Korea National Institute of Health announced clarification for prostatitis at the Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) consensus meeting. However, Recent trend of chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) management