Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in a Rural Area: Are We Paying Attention?

Introduction Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a chronic, debilitating illness that mostly affects males under the age of 50 years. It is associated with myriad presentations. The National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score was developed to measure the impact of the disease and assess the treatment outcomes. Additionally, the UPOINT [urinary (U), psychosocial (P), organ-specific (O), infection (I), neurologic/systemic (N), and tenderness of pelvic floor skeletal muscles (T)] classification system has been developed to enable a 'phenotypic approach' to the treatment. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the NIH-CPSI scores as well as the positive subdomain numbers and distribution of the UPOINT classification in patients with CP/CPPS. Materials and methods A total of 100 consecutive male patients presenting to a single centre with symptomatic CP/CPPS were included in this study. Results The mean age of the patients was 34.4 years. The average total NIH-CPSI score was 24.9. The average number of positive UPOINT domains was 2.28. The positive domains were urinary (90), psychosocial (60), organ-specific (43), infection (15), neurological (12), and tenderness (8). Discussion The NIH-CPSI scores and UPOINT subdomain scores compared favourably with other studies conducted in the region. The lower infection subdomain score as compared to other studies may be due to the widespread use of antibiotics among patients in the region prior to presenting to a urologist. Conclusion The use of the UPOINT classification to guide treatment is feasible even in a rural setting, such as in Kashmir.