Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in males may be an autoimmune disease, potentially responsive to corticosteroid therapy.

UNLABELLED: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) represents the most common form of prostatitis. No known etiology factor in most cases can be found. It is possible that at least in some cases autoimmune response could be causative factor. Common treatment options include antibiotics, alpha blockers, myorelaxants, phytotherapeuticals, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal treatment and surgery but corticosteroids have not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is in some cases autoimmune disease and this could have repercussions on treatment using low dose corticosteroids. RATIONALE: Currently corticosteroids are not a standard treatment option in CP/CPPS. Theoretical, experimental and scarce clinical evidence suggest that treatment with low dose corticosteroids could be beneficial in some patients with chronic prostatitis. If our hypothesis could be supported with well designed, randomized clinical trials this could change the approach of the medical treatment of CP/CPPS.