Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with levofloxacin and tamsulosin for patients with chronic prostatitis: clinical efficacy and changes in serum factors.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with levofloxacin (0.1 g, twice daily) and tamsulosin (0.2 mg, once daily) on clinical efficacy and serum factors in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 105 patients with CP who received treatment at Hangzhou Lin'an District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2020 to December 2022. Among them, 47 patients received levofloxacin and tamsulosin were included in a drug group (DG), and 58 patients received additional TENS therapy (frequency: 1/4/1 Hz+80/120/80 Hz; pulse width: 270/230/270 μs+120/80/120 μs; waveform: square and continuous waveforms) were included in a joint group (JG). The changes in the National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), and the levels of inflammatory and pain-causing factors were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups after treatment. Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, the scores of NIH-CPSI and IPSS, and the levels of IL-6, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and dynorphin in the JG were obviously lower than those in the DG (P<0.001). The clinical response rate in the DG was obviously lower than that in the JG (P=0.006, Table 2). There was no difference in total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P=0.801).

CONCLUSION

Compared to medication alone (levofloxacin and tamsulosin), the combination of TENS with levofloxacin and tamsulosin can reduce the levels of inflammatory and pain-causing factors in patients, and improve the efficacy. Importantly, it has been observed that this combination therapy does not lead to an increase in adverse reactions and is considered to be safe for patients.