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Mental stress and imbalance of its two neural stress systems, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, are associated with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the comprehensive analyses of psychological stress and stress systems are under-investigated, particularly in CP/CPPS patients complicated by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and ED. Participants were 95 patients in CP/CPPS+ED group, 290 patients in CP/CPPS group, 124 patients in ED group and 52 healthy men in control group. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were used for assessing the disease severity of CP/CPPS, LUTS and ED. Psychometric self-report questionnaires including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Type A Personality Test (TAPT) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were completed for distress from physical symptoms. Twenty-five subjects per group were randomly selected for further investigating the changes of the HPA axis and ANS. Saliva samples were taken on 3 consecutive days at 8 specific times with strict reference to time of morning awakening for evaluation of free cortisol. Heart rate variability (HRV) as marker of the ANS was measured using 24 h electrocardiography, and time-and frequency-domain variables were analyzed. The BAI and SCL-90 scores were significantly higher in the CP/CPPS+ED, CP/CPPS and ED groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The PSS scores of both groups with ED were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.01). Compared with the CP/CPPS group, the differences of PSS, SCL-90 and TAPT scores were statistically significant in CP/CPPS+ED patients (p < 0.01). The IPSS scores were shown to have significantly positive correlations with BAI (r = 0.32, p < 0.0001), PSS (r = 0.18, p < 0.01) and SCL-90 (r = 0.19, p < 0.01) in the CP/CPPS patients. However, in all subjects, the IIEF-5 scores were shown to have significantly negative correlations with BAI (r = -0.17，p < 0.001), PSS (r = -0.25，p < 0.0001), SCL-90 (r = -0.20，p < 0.001) and quality of life score in NIH-CPSI (r = -0.14，p = 0.0075). Cortisol awakening response (CAR) parameters and diurnal cortisol levels did not significantly vary between the four groups. Time-dependent parameters of HRV also did not differ significantly across groups. In the frequency domain analysis, low frequency (LF) was significantly lower in ED patients when compared with CP/CPPS+ED patients (p = 0.044) and healthy controls (p = 0.005), high frequency (HF) power was significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients with ED (p < 0.001), CP/CPPS (p < 0.001) and CP/CPPS+ED (p < 0.001), and the CP/CPPS+ED group had significantly higher LF/HF ratio than the control group (p = 0.001). CP/CPPS and ED patients score exceedingly high on most psychosocial variables. The symptom scores of LUTS and ED positively correlate with the severity of psychological stress. Our findings also suggest that the ANS sympathovagal imbalance is associated with ED and LUTS in CP/CPPS, whereas HPA axis activity is not.

1173 ETIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN MEN WITH CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME

We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of Li-ESWT combined with or without medications for patients with Chronic prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS). A comprehensive search was conducted of PUBMED, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception to February 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of Li-ESWT with or without the combination of medications compared with the control group. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), Visual Analogue Scale/Score (VAS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and International prostate symptom score (IPSS) were used to assess the improvements of symptoms in CP/CPPS patients. 651 patients from 12 randomized controlled studies were included in this study. The total NIH-CPSI scores, pain domain scores, and quality of life (QOL) scores were significantly lower in the Li-ESWT group than those in the control group at the termination of treatment, and 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment. And these scores were significantly reduced in the Li-ESWT group than in baselines. In the subgroup analysis, reductions of these scores lasted longer and were greater in Li-ESWT combined with medications than in Li-ESWT alone. In the Li-ESWT group, the VAS score; IIEF score; and IPSS score were significant improvements than those in control group at the termination of treatment, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment; 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment; and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively. Li-ESWT is a safe, non-invasive, and effective option for patients with CP/CPPS, whether combined with medications or not, should be recommended for widespread use in clinical practice.

BackgroundA high proportion of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) present with comorbid erectile dysfunction (ED), but evidence-based therapeutic interventions specifically targeting this patient population remain understudied in clinical trials.AimTo assess the efficacy of Ningmitai capsule (NMT), an oral traditional Chinese herbal formulation, combined with sildenafil versus monotherapy in alleviating symptoms among a cohort of participants with CP/CPPS and ED.MethodsA multi-center, randomized clinical trial was conducted from March 2019 to December 2022 at six tertiary hospitals in China. A total of 214 participants diagnosed with CP/CPPS and ED were randomized 1:2:2 to receive orally sildenafil (25 mg, q.n.), NMT (0.38 g × 4 capsules, t.i.d.), or a combination of both for 4 weeks. Validated Chinese version of the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaires were administered at baseline, week 2, and week 4.OutcomesThe primary endpoint was the reduction in NIH-CPSI pain domain scores from baseline to week 4.ResultsAll treatment groups exhibited statistically significant decreases in NIH-CPSI total, pain, urinary and quality of life (QoL) domain scores within 2 weeks, with improvements sustained until the end of the treatment. The combination group demonstrated superior pain score reductions versus sildenafil monotherapy at both timepoints (week 2: mean difference [MD] -2.82 ± 3.27 vs. -1.26 ± 3.45, P = 0.043; week 4, MD -3.57 ± 3.50 vs. -1.07 ± 2.94, P = 0.009). Notably, combination therapy achieved greater IIEF-5 score enhancements compared to NMT alone (P < 0.05) and higher responder rates than either sildenafil or NMT monotherapy (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the three arms concerning EHS. No adverse events were reported.Clinical ImplicationsNMT-sildenafil combination therapy may serve as a viable alternative to α-blocker-based regimens for CP/CPPS-ED patients, potentially circumventing the orthostatic hypotension risk associated with the concurrent use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and α-blockers.Strengths and LimitationsStrengths include a prospective randomized design, which is well controlled. Limitations encompass the absence of placebo control and long-term follow-up.ConclusionNMT-sildenafil combination therapy demonstrates significantly greater benefits of ameliorating pain symptoms and improving erectile function in men with CP/CPPS and ED compared to either monotherapy, with favorable tolerability profiles.RegistrationThe study protocol was reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06064448).

Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: a role for PDE-5 inhibitors?

Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary symptoms with multifactorial aetiology. Standard treatments, including alpha-blockers, often have limited long-term effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized pollen extract (Deprox® 500), alone or in combination with alpha-blockers, in reducing CP/CPPS symptoms and the need for rescue medication. Methods: This prospective, multicentre study included 207 male patients with CP/CPPS treated at two Romanian urology centres between January 2023 and January 2025. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A—alpha-blocker monotherapy; Group B—standardized pollen extract monotherapy; and Group C—combination therapy with standardized pollen extract and alpha-blocker. Symptom severity and treatment response were evaluated using the validated English versions of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), all of which were translated into Romanian for use in this study. Results: Groups B and C both demonstrated significantly greater reductions in pelvic pain and urinary symptoms compared to Group A (p = 0.01), with marked improvements in NIH-CPSI and IPSS. Conclusions: A standardized pollen extract used alone or in combination with an alpha-blocker significantly improved CP/CPPS symptoms and reduced the need for NSAID rescue medication. These findings support its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic option.

This study is aimed to determine the correlation between fasting glucose level, erectile dysfunction,and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Weenrolled patients with BPH-related LUTS aged over 50 years old. LUTS and erectile dysfunction (ED) wereevaluated using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-5(IIEF-5). Diabetes mellitus was established if fasting glucose level was above 126mg/dL. Forty-two patientswere enrolled in this study from outpatient clinic in Kardinah Hospital, Tegal during January–March 2015.Patients’ mean age was 68.8±8.6 years old with most of them suffered from ED (83.3%) and also suffered fromsevere LUTS (80.96%). Mean fasting glucose level was 108.3 + 21.1 mg/dl. However, diabetes mellitus wasobserved in 26.2% subjects with mean fasting glucose level was 136.8+7.8mg/dl. IPSS score was correlatedwith fasting glucose level (r=0.879, p<0.001) and IIEF-5 score (r= -0.346, p=0.025). IIEF-5 score showednegative correlation with age (r=-0.31, p=0.046) and fasting glucose level (r=-0.305, p=0.049). Higher fastingglucose level in a man older than 50 years with BPH would increase severity of LUTS and ED. Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are both highly prevalent in aging men. Alpha-blockers and PDE-5 inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and ED. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors alone or in combination with alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register of Controlled Trials, and the Chinese Biological Medical Database were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that referred to the use of a combination of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS associated with BPH. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum flow rate (Qmax), and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) domain score were used in this meta-analysis. Seven publications involving 515 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In the analysis, we found significantly improved IIEF, IPSS, and Qmax values in the combination use group compared with the use of PDE5 inhibitors alone (P = 0.04, 0.004, 0.007, respectively). The combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers results in additive favorable effects in men with ED and LUTS suggestive of BPH compared with PDE5 inhibitor monotherapy. The alpha-blockers may enhance the efficacy of the PDE5 inhibitors, which is beneficial for the treatment of ED and LUTS.

Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly coexist in aging men. Tamsulosin and tadalafil are widely used for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and ED, respectively. A combination of these 2 drugs might be useful to design new management strategies, as treatment of LUTS might affect ED. Furthermore, the effect of tadalafil alone or in combination with tamsulosin on LUTS has not been widely studied, especially in our country. We conducted a study to compare the effects of tamsulosin, tadalafil, and a combination of tamsulosin and tadalafil in patients with LUTS with or without ED. Materials and methods: In this observational study, 81 men with LUTS due to BPH were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups of 27 patients each. Group A received tamsulosin 0.4 mg/d alone, group B tadalafil 5 mg/d alone, and group C combination therapy (tamsulosin and tadalafil both). All patients were evaluated for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the International Index of Erectile Function 5 score, the maximum urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine volume. Results: IPSS improvement was seen in all groups (−50.90%, P &lt; 0.05; −28.57%, P &lt; 0.05; and −54.83%, P &lt; 0.05, respectively). An improvement in International Index of Erectile Function 5 was also seen in all 3 groups (+39.28%, P &lt; 0.05; +45.9%, P &lt; 0.05; and +55.4%, P &lt; 0.05, respectively). Maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual also showed improvement in all 3 groups (33.9%, P &lt; 0.05; 29.92%, P &lt; 0.05; and 39.71%, P &lt; 0.05 and −60.60%, P &lt; 0.05; −48.51%, P &lt; 0.05; and −62.18%, P &lt; 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: In patients with LUTS due to BPH, tadalafil and tamsulosin, either alone or in combination, significantly reduce LUTS. In addition, these drugs significantly enhance erectile function in males with LUTS, whether taken alone or in combination. We found no statistically significant improvement in either the IPSS or the ED scores when comparing the combination group to the tamsulosin-alone and the tadalafil-alone groups.

Most surgical treatments for male lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia affect erectile and ejaculatory functions negatively, leading to patient dissatisfaction. To determine whether water vapor thermal therapy, when conducted in a randomized controlled trial, would significantly improve lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary flow rate while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions. Men at least 50 years old with International Prostate Symptom Scores of at least 13, a peak flow rate of at least 5 to no higher than 15 mL/s, and prostate volume of 30 to 80 cm(3) were randomized 2:1 between Rezūm System thermal therapy and control. Thermal water vapor (103°C) was injected into lateral and median lobes as required for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The control procedure entailed rigid cystoscopy with simulated active treatment sounds. Blinded group (active= 136, control= 61) comparison occurred at 3 months and the active arm was followed to 12 months for International Prostate Symptom Score, peak flow rate, and sexual function using the International Index of Erectile Function and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Function. The minimal clinically important difference in erectile function perceived by subjects as beneficial was determined for each erectile function severity category. Subjects not sexually active were censored from sexual function analysis. No treatment- or device-related de novo erectile dysfunction occurred after thermal therapy. International Index of Erectile Function and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Function scores were not different from the control group at 3 months or from baseline at 1 year. Ejaculatory bother score improved 31% over baseline (P=.0011). Also, 32% of subjects achieved minimal clinically important differences in erectile function scores at 3 months, and 27% at 1 year, including those with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. International Prostate Symptom Score and peak flow rate were significantly superior to controls at 3 months and throughout 1 year (P < .0001). Convective water vapor thermal therapy provides sustainable improvements for 12 months to lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions.

3:57 PM, Abstract No. 299 - The preliminary outcome of prostatic arteries embolization with bead block for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

PurposeChronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) exhibits variable lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of LUTS and the efficacy of an anticholinergic agent in young and middle-aged CP/CPPS patients.MethodsNinety-six men with CP/CPPS were randomly assigned in a single-blind fashion and received either ciprofloxacin (group 1, 49 patients) or ciprofloxacin and solifenacin (5 mg/day; group 2, 47 patients) for 8 weeks. The National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were used to grade the patients' symptoms and the quality of life impact at the start of the study, and at 4 and 8 weeks from the initiation of the study.ResultsThere was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 with respect to age, duration of disease, or sub-domains of the IPSS, NIH-CPSI, or IIEF-5 at baseline. Of these patients, 67.4% had LUTS. Statistically significant differences were determined via the NIH-CPSI for total score and the pain and urinary domain scores. Statistically significant differences were determined via the IPSS for total score and the storage domain score. The total score of the IIEF-5 increased, but the change was not significant. There was no statistically significant difference in residual urine.ConclusionsMany CP/CPPS patients had LUTS. Solifenacin in CP/CPPS demonstrated improvements in the NIH-CPSI and the IPSS total score and storage score. Storage factors significantly improved via the NIH-CPSI and IPSS assessments in the solifenacin treatment group.

Our major aim was to systematically study the effectiveness of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in treating chronic prostatitis stage III and performed meta-analysis to evaluate the changes occurred in posttreatment scores of National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index, international index of erectile function and international prostate symptom score. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Comprehensive research was performed by using online resources like PubMed and the Wiley online library database to gather the relevant literature produced from the y 2010 to 2022. Two authors were assigned to independently collect the relevant information including author name, region of study, study design, treatment, publication year, sample size, voiding parameters, study inclusion and exclusion criteria, urological conditions, drug type, international prostate symptom score, international index of erectile function score, etc. In final screening 17 relevant studies were found. Out of these 17, 5 contained surgical procedure while 4 were narrative analysis. One study was incomplete regarding information. Finally, 7 studies were included for analysis. Total of 584 patients were involved in the selected studies. Three out of seven are from Italy region while two are from Japan and one was from Korea and Egypt respectively. Most of these studies used tadalafil monotherapy while one placebo-controlled trial. A significant difference in pain score, international prostate symptom score domain and National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index were observed after consuming 5 mg tadalafil monotherapy. Everyday consumption of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 gave positive outcomes in terms of voiding. A significant difference was observed after using tadalafil monotherapy in the majority of the studies. Hence, tadalafil alone can be used to treat the type III chronic prostatitis.

Correlation between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and Sexual Function in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Impact of Treatment of LUTS on Sexual Function

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.