Abstract:

Objective  To explore the application of a clinical phenotype system, UPOINT, in the classification of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).  Methods  A total of 241 patients with CP/CPPS treated during Feb. to Oct. 2012 were classified using UPOINT. Patients′ symptoms severity was assessed with National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).  Results  Median CPSI score was 20.78±5.89; median IPSS score was 8.08±4.85. The percent of each UPOINT domain was 58.9%, 60.2%, 86.3%, 26.6%, 26.1% and 39.8% respectively. Of all patients, 9.5% were positive with only 1 domain, 29.9% with 2 domains, 27% with 3 domains, 21.6% with 4 domains, and 12% with 5 domains. The number of positive domains was closely correlated with the symptom severity assessed with NIH-CPSI and IPSS (r1=0.61, r2=0.45; P<0.01), and positively correlated with the quality of life (CPSI QoL) (r=0.48, P<0.01).  Conclusion  The UPOINT phenotype system can classify patients with CP according to clinically relevant domains, which can not only improve the diagnostic rate, but also provide patients individualized treatment and improve their quality of life.

Key words: Chronic prostatitis, Phenotype, Classification, Clinical practice