Fears, sexual disturbances and personality features in men with prostatitis: a population-based cross-sectional study in Finland

Objective To determine the occurrence of mental distress related to prostat itis in Finnish men. Subjects and methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducte d of 2500 men aged 20-59 years living in the two northernmost provinces of Finland (Oulu and Lapland), The final response rate was 75% (1832 men). Results The fear of undetected prostate cancer was reported by 17% of the m en in the population who had had prostatitis, a value significantly higher (P<0.001) than in healthy men, Fears of having a sexually transmitted disea se and suicidal thinking were also slightly more common. The men who had ha d prostatitis preferred to be alone in a public toilet during voiding (58% vs 44%, P<0.001). Erectile dysfunction was reported by 43% of the men with symptomatic prostatitis and decreased libido by 24%. Self-assessment of per sonality, adjusted for age, showed that the men with prostatitis were more often busy and nervous than the healthy controls (P<0.001), and that they h ad a more meticulous attitude to life and its problems. Marital difficultie s were reported by 17% of the men who had had prostatitis at some point in their lives, and 4% were convinced that their illness had caused their divo rce, Socio-economic status and social well-being had no apparent influence on the occurrence of prostatitis. Conclusions This survey showed that psychological stress is common in men w ith prostatitis. Urologists and general practitioners should consider that a consultation with a psychiatrist may be appropriate for selected men with prostatitis.