PROSTATODYNIA IN UNITED-NATIONS PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN HAITI

Prostatodynia is a clinical entity associated with voiding symptoms an d pelvic pain suggestive of prostatitis but with a normal prostate exa mination and without evidence of inflammation or infection in expresse d prostatic secretions. The problem tends to be chronic and is vexing in its management. Although thought to be a common condition, prevalen ce data are generally lacking. From June to October 1995, the U.S. Arm y's 86th Combat Support Hospital provided medical support to a multina tional United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti. Patients diagnosed with prostatodynia were more common (13 cases) than men with other uro logic problems (urolithiasis, 6 cases; urinary tract infection, 6 case s; scrotal abscess/mass, 2 cases; epididymitis, 1 case), Patients tend ed to be young (mean age 29.8), had multiple visits, failed to respond to multiple courses of antibiotics for presumed ''prostatitis,'' and denied recent sexual relations, Some patients reported having had simi lar symptoms on prolonged separation from their spouses in the past th at resolved with resumption of normal intercourse, Masturbation, howev er, had no impact on symptoms and was painful in some individuals, Ter azosin, an alpha-antagonist, and stress-reduction therapy led to impro vement in some patients' symptoms. A discussion of these retrospective findings in light of what is known about the possible etiologies and treatment of prostatodynia is presented. Prostatodynia appears to be a common problem in deployed troops and can lead to frequent use of med ical services. Physicians supporting long deployments need to be aware of this entity.