Efficacy of sertraline and gabapentin in the treatment of urethral pain syndrome: retrospective results of a single institutional cohort

INTRODUCTION: Urethral pain syndrome is a subgroup of chronic pelvic pain syndromes and comprises a relatively challenging patient group in urological practice. Several different treatments have been used for the management of the condition from a mostly empirical basis. In this article, we present the results of a small cohort of young male patients treated with sertraline and gabapentin therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 52 patients was retrospectively evaluated and 31 patients' data was included in this study. Clinical symptom scores, including International Prostate Symptoms Score, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Visual Analog Scale for Pain, Quality of Life due to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Urinary, Psychosocial, Organ Specific, Infection, Neurologic/Systemic, Tenderness of Skeletal Muscles (UPOINT) classifications were retrospectively analyzed from the patient records and charts. RESULTS: We observed improvement in clinical scores involving anxiety, lower urinary tract symptoms, quality of life, and pain. Statistical analysis revealed significant amelioration of the symptoms with gaba- pentin and sertraline treatment in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin and sertraline treatment may be considered in the second step management of urethral pain syndrome. To draw an evidence-based recommendation, prospective and comparative studies should be conducted in the future.