The Effect of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) on Erectile Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

High prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been observed in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). However, whether or not CP/CPPS is a risk factor of ED remains unknown and controversial.

Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between CP/CPPS and ED.

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were searched up to November 11, 2014 to identify studies reporting the association between CP/CPPS and ED. Case-control, cohort and cross-sectional studies were included. Quality of the included studies was assessed. The odds ratio of ED and the mean difference of five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score were pooled using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analyses were performed.

Three cross-sectional studies, two case-control studies, and four retrospective studies with 31,956 participants were included to calculate the pooled odds ratio of ED, and two studies with 1499 participants were included to calculate the pooled mean difference of IIEF-5 scores. A strong correlation was found between CP/CPPS and ED (pooled odds ratio: 3. 02, 95% CI: 2. 18-4. 17, P < 0. 01), with heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 65%; P < 0. 01). A significant decrease in the IIFE-5 score was observed in the CP/CPPS group (pooled mean difference: -4. 54, 95% CI: -5. 11--3. 98; P < 0. 01).

Our study indicates that patients with CP/CPPS have an increased risk of suffering from ED. Assessment of erectile function is necessary for the therapy of patients with CP/CPPS. Further evidence is necessary to confirm the relationship between CP/CPPS and ED.

PloS one. 2015 Oct 28*** epublish ***

Xiang Chen, ZhiRui Zhou, XiaoChun Qiu, Bin Wang, JiCan Dai

Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. , Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. , Library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. , Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. , Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

PubMed