It is suggested that Chronic Prostatitis (CP) and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) effects up to 15% of males worldwide (here). These are reported cases, so it could be suggested this number is a little higher perhaps? It is the most common urological diagnosis in men under 50 years old. And the third most common diagnosis in men over 50 (here), with Prostate Cancer and BPH being the most prevalent respectively. It is suggested that up to 50% of all males will be effected by CP/CPPS in their lifetimes (here). Prostate Cancer effects 1 in 8 men in the UK so that puts it into some perspective!
It has been hypothesised that younger patients with Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) have more severe symptoms than older patients. In April 2018 Thu et al published an article in the Journal of Urology to examine the impact of age on the clinical presentation of UCCPS patients.
Methods:
54 men aged 45.8 (+/- 16.0 years) with a diagnosis of UCPPS participated in the study. The age groups were <30, >30 to 60 and >60. The study used the following questionnaires to gather data:
- Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms and Problem Indexes (ICSI, ICPI)
- Numeric ratings of pain, urgency, frequency
- Pelvic Pain and urgency/frequency (PFU)
- AUA symptoms index
- Body pain map
- RICE questionnaire
- History of chronic overlapping pain conditions, anxiety and depression
Results:
Younger patients reported greater intensity in urologic pain on the 1-10 pain scale. Patients in the 40-60 age group were more likely to report pain outside of the pelvis. This age group were also more likely to have a history of depression and migraines.
Conclusion:
The results are interesting and indicate that the younger aged groups, compared to the >60 ago group are more likely to report higher, more intense and varied pain locations. However with such small numbers used in the study (only 54) it is very difficult to draw any full conclusion from the results.
CP/CPPS is more prevalent in men under 50 when compared to those over 50. Further research into the hypotheses that CP/CPPS is more impactful on younger males is needed. If the results are reflective of those above then surely the question should be posed as to why this is the case!
Karl Monahan is the owner of The Pelvic Pain Clinic, London. He has been successfully treating male pelvic pain since 2009. His depth of knowledge and personal experience on the subject provides his patients with a compassionate approach rarely found. His holistic approach to treating male pelvic pain addresses, lifestyle, diet, exercise, stress management and therapeutic movement. The clinics approach is very much aimed at empowering the patient, teaching them the tools and techniques to manage and reduce their own symptoms allowing them to be the driver in their own recovery and not just a passenger. www.thepelvicpainclinic.co.uk