ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Chronic prostatitis is clinically defined by symptoms consisting of pain, voiding complaints and sexual dysfunction. Determination of the severity and progression over time of the disease and an evaluation of the results of various therapies may be best assessed and monitored by a valid and reliable symptom scoring instruments. We evaluated the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Korean version of NIH-CPSI and the characteristics of symptom index on chronic prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients underwent a complete clinical evaluation and completed the Korean version of NIH-CPSI. The reliability of CPSI was examined by test-retest reliability and internal consistency for 41 chronic prostatitis patients. And the results in chronic prostatitis group were compared with those in 2 groups including 36 benign prostate hyperplasia patients and 46 healthy men. In 41 chronic prostatitis group including 28 IIIA and 13 IIIB patients, CPSI was reassessed after 6 weeks treatment and compared with those of pretreatment state. RESULTS: The Korean version of NIH-CPSI had excellent test-retest reliability (r=0.76 to 0.95) and high internal consistency (Crobach's alpha=0.86 to 0.97) during a 1 week period. The symptom score had significant difference in the each items and domains between chronic prostatitis and healthy control subjects (p<0.05). And the symptom score of each domains was sensitive to change with decreasing score after treatment (p<0.01). Chronic prostatitis had higher score of pain domain and BPH had higher score of urinary symptom domain. But the score of QOL domain was similar in both group. CONCLUSIONS: The NIH-CPSI is clinically reliable, valid, and responsive means of capturing the symptoms and impact of chronic prostatitis. It may be useful in clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Diagnosis , Hyperplasia , Prostate , ProstatitisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The benefits of varicocelectomy in improving semen quality and pregnancy rate has been clearly demonstrated. However, the reports on the effects of varicocelectomy in patient with painful varicocele are few. We evaluate the efficacy of varicocelectomy with modified Palomo method and microsurgical subinguinal method in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 109 consecutive patients who underwent varicocelectomy with follow up period more than 3 months were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the degree of varicocele, effects of surgical treatment and results according to surgical technique and grade of varicocele. The result was classified into completely resolved, partially resolved and unchanged based on the relief of pain. The outcome of varicocelectomy was assessed retrospectively either by review of patient's medical records or telephone and letter interview. RESULTS: Of 109 patients, 43 patients (39.4%) underwent varicocelectomy with modified Palomo method and microsurgical subinguinal method for pain. Of those 43 patients, 34 (79.0%) reported complete resolution of pain postoperatively, 4 patients (9.4%) showed partial resolution, 5 patients (11.6%) showed no change. Of the 5 patients with no change, 3 patients had no abnormal finding by postoperative ultrasonography and remaining 2 patients had recurrence of varicocele. There were no statistically significant differences in resolution rate between two surgical methods and among each grade (Chi-square test; p=0.749, 0.690). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of varicocele is an effective treatment for relief of pain in properly selected patients.