Prostatitis

Introduction During 2003 there were several publications about different aspects of this clinical entity. This review highlights one that questions the association between bacterial infection of the prostate and prostatic pain. There were two papers suggesting that alpha blockade may have a beneficial effect on the pain and two papers with apparently conflicting findings on the relationship between the presence of infiammation in the prostate and PSA level. Finally, one study reviewed the bacteriology found in patients who suffered a febrile illness after prostatic biopsy where fluoroquinolones were used as prophylaxis and recommended a treatment algorithim. The management of chronic prostatic pain remains enigmatic and more research is needed in this field so that urologists are able to relieve the pain suffered by their patients.