The Effects of Microwave Thermotherapy for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized Study

초록

Purpose: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) causes pain and urinary symptoms that involve the prostate and/or other parts of the male. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of medication and microwave thermotherapy.Materials and Methods: A total of 132 patients with CP/CPPS for at least 3 months were assigned to one of the three study groups (group A: medication; group B: thermotherapy; group C: combination therapy). The NIH-CPSI was recorded at baseline, and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 post-therapy. EPS was evaluated, and semen analysis was performed to assess the changes in prostatic inflammation. Moreover, patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed. Results: Comparisons between groups A and B, as well as between groups B and C showed no significant changes in pain, quality of life, and total scores. At week 12, group C, when compared with group A, had a significantly improved voiding score (4.19±3.02 vs. 2.71±2.30, p=0.019) and EPS (12.47±15.91 vs. 3.73±4.82, p=0.003). At week 4, the patient satisfaction score in group C was significantly different from that in other groups (p=0.043), but there was no difference at week 12 (p＞0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in laboratory test results, PSA, and prostate volume between the three groups at baseline and week 12. Complications of thermotherapy resolved with conservative management.Conclusions: Our results showed that a combination of medication and thermotherapy improved NIH-CPSI and patient satisfaction in CP/CPPS more than medication alone. We suggested that thermotherapy could be another treatment option for CP/CPPS.

키워드