The present work aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) on patients with prostatitis-like symptoms (PLS). Patients with PLS were recruited and received four-week Li-ESWT (once per week), which was conducted at a frequency of 3 Hz with a preferred energy flow density of 0. 25 mJ/mm2 . The scores of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms Index (NIH-CPSI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were recorded to assess the remission of disease in the 0, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 16th weeks. A decrease of the NIH-CPSI score ≥6 was regarded as the effectiveness standard of Li-ESWT. Among 91 enrolled patients, the scores of all validated questionnaires presented significant improvements in the 4th week (p < .05) compared with that in baseline, except for IIEF-5. The treatment effective rates in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 16th weeks were 28.57%, 38.46%, 47.25%, 51.65%, 57.30%, 68.18% and 69.44%, respectively. No pronounced undesirable side effect has occurred. Li-ESWT is effective and safe in treating PLS. The efficacy can be maintained within three months.
Andrologia. 2021 Sep 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Chen Jin, Song Zhang, Fan Mo, Meng Zhang, Jialin Meng, Zichen Bian, Ziyue Fu, Qiaozhou Fang, Xiangbin Kong, Bin Feng, Zhiping Wang, Zhancheng Jiang, Ming Chen, Li Zhang, Zhengyao Song, Zongyao Hao, Chaozhao Liang
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China., The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China., Department of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China., Research and Develop Department, Wikkon Precision Technologies Ltd, Shenzhen, China.