Purpose: We investigated whether the prostate has secretory dysfunction for category IIIA and IIIB prostatitis.
Materials and methods: Normal human prostatic secretions are remarkably rich in citrate, which is considered the most useful marker for determining prostate secretory function. It is certain that the prostate has secretory dysfunction for category I and II prostatitis, while it is not clear for category IIIA and IIIB prostatitis. To clarify this question expressed prostatic secretion citrate and pH were determined in 21, 25 and 25 outpatients with category II, IIIA and IIIB prostatitis, respectively, and in 21 normal controls without any prostatic disease. Outpatients with category II disease served as positive controls, while normal controls served as negative controls. No outpatients with category IIIA and IIIB prostatitis underwent treatment.
Results: Mean +/- SD expressed prostatic secretion citrate was 3.32 +/- 0.79, 3.41 +/- 0.88, 4.37 +/- 0.77 and 8.55 +/- 1.20 mg/ml in groups II, IIIA, IIIB and normal controls, respectively. Compared to normal controls expressed prostatic secretion citrate was significantly decreased in category II, IIIA and IIIB cases. Furthermore, there was no overlap of expressed prostatic secretion citrate values between category IIIA and IIIB cases, and the normal control group.
Conclusions: The prostate has secretory dysfunction for category IIIA and IIIB prostatitis, which suggests that the prostate may be involved in category IIIA and IIIB prostatitis.