A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors in Men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To compare the demographic, behavioural, clinical and medical history characteristics of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and asymptomatic controls, to identify characteristics that might be associated with this syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Self-administered epidemiological questionnaires were completed by 463 men with CP/CPPS and 121 asymptomatic age-matched controls. The authors compared the prevalence of possible risk factors between men with CP/CPPS and controls, using generalized Mantel-Haenszel tests, and developed multivariate predictive models using logistic regression methods, adjusting for clustering by clinical centre within both methods. RESULTS: Compared to controls, men with CP/CPPS reported a significantly greater lifetime prevalence of nonspecific urethritis (12% vs 4%, P = 0.008), cardiovascular disease (11% vs 2%, P = 0.004), neurological disease (41% vs 14%, P < 0.001), psychiatric conditions (29% vs 11%, P < 0.001), and haematopoietic, lymphatic or infectious disease (41% vs 20%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A wide range of self-reported medical conditions was associated with CP/CPPS. Further studies are necessary to determine whether they play a role in the pathogenesis of CP/CPPS.