Clinical Study on Chronic Prostatitis

Oh, Choo Ik; Lee, Hak Song

Abstract

Based on subjective complaints, rectal findings of the prostate and microscopic examination of the prostatic fluid, chronic prostatitis was diagnosed in 180 cases or 48.3 percent of the total out-patients 373 who visited at the urological department during the period May 1. 1959 through September 30, 1959, 151 cases or 83.8 percent of the cases were observed among the ages between 21 to 45 years and more than one half of these cases were seen between the ages of 26 to 35 years. Majority of the cases except a few had previously experienced acute or chronic urethritis and no history of tonsillitis. Chronic urethritis, chronic epididymitis and sterility were common complications to this disease. 150 patients complained of subjective symptoms but the remainder was free of symptoms. Most frequently observed symptoms consisted of those of mild chronic urethritis such as urethral discomfort or burning, urethral discharge or morning drops. Dull pain or discomfort on the suprapubic, perineal, scrotal or inguinal areas, joint pain, lumbago, general weakness and decrease in libido were also common. In many cases difficulties on urination such as frequency, urgency, tenesmus, filling sensation of the bladder and retarding urination were present. In most cases urine appeared clear with scanty shreads. 34 cases showed more than 5/HPF white blood cells and in 142 cases white blood cells were less than 5/HPF and did not show significant abnormality. On prostatic palpation 145 cases were abnormal and the remainder showed normal. Most of the prostates were normal in size and firmness was felt very frequently. Tenderness was felt rarely. Occasionally the prostate was nodular and it was often observed in the tuberculous prostatitis. Prostatic fluid was abnormal in most cases where the subjective symptoms and rectal prostatic findings were present, but in a few cases the prostatic fluid was within normal limits where the prostate is felt abnormal. In some cases where their prostates were felt normal the prostatic fluid showed abnormality. Urethroscopic examination was performed in 13 cases resisting to ordinary treatment, and another 52 cases. Chronic inflammation in the urethra was observed in the majority of the cases. 19 plain x-rays on KUB disclosed 5 instances of calcification on the prostatic region. 2 instances of ureteral stone and one bladder stone. 31 cases of the chronic prostatitis for 4 to 66 months with antibiotics and prostatic massage have been evaluated for changes in symptoms, prostatic palpation and prostatic fluid. In nine cases clinical cure or moderate improvement of all the above three was obtained, and in cases symptoms and prostatic palpation became normal or moderately improved. There also were marked or moderate improvement in symptoms and prostatic fluid in 9 cases. There were 2 cases in which only subjective symptoms improved markedly or moderately and there was no case which showed any aggravation after treatment.