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OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of the Kv1.3 K+ channel on the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of the Kv1.3 K+ channel in prostatic epithelia was detected using streptavidin/peroxidase immunohistochemistry in tissue samples from 75 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, including 42 with and 33 without chronic inflammation. All of the men were sampled in our hospital between January 2000 and December 2003. RESULTS There was strong and moderate immunostaining in 14 of the prostatic epithelial specimens with inflammation and in 21 from patients without inflammation, compared to 28 and 12 with low staining, respectively (chi-squared, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expression of the Kv1.3 K+channel was lower in prostatic epithelial cells from patients with chronic inflammation than from those without. Opening the Kv1.3 K+ channel could promote the efflux of K+ from the cells, causing an increase in [K+] in the prostate cavity. The increase in [K+] can then infiltrate the stroma through the epithelial gap, exciting the nerve fibres and causing pain and other clinical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess possible causes, clinical symptoms and improvements in treatment for chronic prostatitis in China. The study comprised 3000 patients with chronic prostatitis (aged 20–59 years), selected from urological clinics at province, city and county levels in Anhui (a province in mid-eastern China). Anonymous questionnaires were distributed which included 29 items to ascertain patient age, height, weight, educational background, personality, career, disease course, treatment status, prostatic fluid test and score of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). In all, 2498 valid questionnaires were collected (response rate 83.3%); 78.2% of the patients were aged <40 years and there were fewer patients in groups of increasing age. Discomfort and pain in the pelvis was reported by 52.3%, pain on urination by 23.0%, sexual discomfort by 21.8%, urinary frequency by 65.8%, and voiding discomfort by 74.4%; 34.9% of men were satisfied with their previous treatment. In China there are fewer patients with chronic prostatitis as age increases. The main symptoms were voiding dysfunction, e.g. frequent urination. The prevalence of pain, e.g. on urination, was significantly less than documented in other parts of the world. Most patients had used antibiotics to treat their prostatitis; generally the effect of treating prostatitis was unsatisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in Chinese men with chronic prostatitis. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 2000 men diagnosed as having chronic prostatitis using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Index and analysis of expressed prostatic secretions. The survey was designed to elicit information about age, height, weight, occupation and history of disease and treatment. The erectile capacity of the men was assessed using the five-question version of the International Index of Erectile Function. Of the 2000 men with chronic prostatitis selected, 1786 completed the survey; the overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction in these patients was 49%. The prevalence of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction accounted for 26% and 15%, respectively; 7.7% had both premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. There was a negative correlation between prevalence and age, and with the duration of chronic prostatitis (both P < 0.001). The prevalence rate of sexual dysfunction in Chinese men with chronic prostatitis is high and related to age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]