Traditional Chinese herbal medicine retention enema combined with perineal massage (THREM): a promising therapeutic strategy for refractory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
Zhiyong Wu, Caiyue Liu, Yubing Peng, Feng Zhou, Bin Xu, Yingfan Zhang, Zhongliang Hu, Mujun Lu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a debilitating condition characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms and persistent pelvic pain or discomfort lasting for more than three months. Currently available oral drug therapies exhibit limited efficacy in the treatment of CP/CPPS. Therefore, personalized and combination therapies are recommended by Chinese CP/CPPS guidelines, which primarily include traditional Chinese medicine, radiofrequency therapy, urethral lavage, transrectal prostate massage, extracorporeal shock wave therapy. However, a significant number of patients do not respond well to all types of these therapeutic methods. Among those who have sequentially or simultaneously undergone at least three different treatment modalities, in addition to oral medications, for more than 1 year, they are defined as patients with refractory CP/CPPS. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine retention enema combined with perineal massage (THREM) in managing refractory CP/CPPS.
Methods: A total of 20 patients with refractory CP/CPPS, who did not show significant improvement despite receiving multiple conventional treatments, including oral medications, were included in this study. Following THREM therapy, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) quality of life (QoL) score were used to assess treatment efficacy.
Results: Six months after THREM therapy, a significant decrease in IPSS, VAS, and QoL scores was observed (P<0.01). Importantly, 85% of the patients experienced a reduction in symptoms of ≥60%, with an average degree of alleviation reaching 70.25%±24.20%.
Conclusions: THREM treatment demonstrated excellent efficacy in managing refractory CP/CPPS at least for 6 months. It has promising clinical application prospects. Further research is warranted to validate these results and explore the underlying mechanisms of THREM therapy.
期刊介绍:
ranslational Andrology and Urology (Print ISSN 2223-4683; Online ISSN 2223-4691; Transl Androl Urol; TAU) is an open access, peer-reviewed, bi-monthly journal (quarterly published from Mar.2012 - Dec. 2014). The main focus of the journal is to describe new findings in the field of translational research of Andrology and Urology, provides current and practical information on basic research and clinical investigations of Andrology and Urology. Specific areas of interest include, but not limited to, molecular study, pathology, biology and technical advances related to andrology and urology. Topics cover range from evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, rehabilitation and future challenges to urology and andrology. Contributions pertinent to urology and andrology are also included from related fields such as public health, basic sciences, education, sociology, and nursing.