Clinical Effect of Tamsulosin in Noninflammatory Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Kim, Sae Woong; Ha, Jae Sung; Lee, Seung Ju; Cho, Yong Hyun; Yoon, Moon Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The National Institute of Health (NIH) category III Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes (CPPS) are common disorders. However, there has been no consensus on how treatment should be planned for these patients. The purpose of this trial was to compare the efficacy of tamsulosin and ibuprofen in the treatment of CPPS patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between June 2001 and May 2002, 117 patients were diagnosed, in our department, as noninflammatory CPPS (Category IIIb). The study comprised of 63 patients who were randomly placed into three groups as follows: group 1 tamsulosin, group 2 ibuprofen and group 3, both tamsulosin and ibuprofen. The tamsulosin and ibuprofen, or both, were given to the respective groups for 12 weeks. The NIH chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and uroflowmetry were evaluated both before and after the treatment.
RESULTS
Before the treatment, the CPSI of the 40 patients who received tamsulosin was 18.43+/-6.60, and after was 13.00+/-6.07. For the ibuprofen group, the CPSI value before the treatment was 18.00+/-5.81, and after was 17.07+/-5.36. In the tamsulosin group, the difference between the pre- and post treatment CPSI values was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conversely, in the ibuprofen group, the difference was insignificant (p=0.106). After the treatment, the difference between the tamsulosin and ibuprofen groups was also statistically significant (p=0.039). The mean maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax) before the treatment in all patients was 15.49+/-4.82ml/sec. A significant increase in the Qmax was obtained in the tamsulosin group.
CONCLUSIONS
Tamsulosin appeared effective for treating patients with noninflammatory CPPS. However, it was concluded that a 12 week treatment period was insufficient.