PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN PRACTICES IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF MEN WITH CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE: To describe self-reported practice patterns of PCPs for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of men with CP/CPPS. METHODS: 556 PCPs in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles were presented a vignette, which described a man with typical CP/CPPS symptoms, followed by questions about CP/CPPS. RESULTS: The response rate was 52%. Only 62 percent of respondents reported ever seeing a patient like the one described in the vignette. Fully 16% of respondents were “not at all” familiar with CP/CPPS, and 48% were “not at all” familiar with the NIH classification scheme for prostatitis. PCPs reported practice patterns regarding diagnosis and treatment of CP/CPPS, which are not supported by evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Although studies suggest that CP/CPPS is common, many PCPs reported little or no familiarity, important knowledge deficits, and limited experience in managing men with this syndrome.