Prevention of relapse with the cranberry juice in chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: The treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is based on antibiotic therapy, but many patients experience a relapse after treatment. Cranberry juice is known for its roles in both the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranberry juice in the prevention of a relapse after the treatment of CPPS. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients, diagnosed as CPPS (National Institutes of Health; NIH-catagory IIIa), were included in this study. All the patients had initially been treated with levofloxacin and supportive treatment for 8-12 weeks. After completion of the initial treatment, 26 volunteer patients were recommended to drink 150ml of cranberry juice twice a day, 24 patients, as a control group, received no cranberry juice and all the patients re-evaluated after 3 months. Results: On initial diagnosis, the white blood cell (WBC) count in the high power field (HFP) of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in cranberry group were 18.2±3.4 and 23.1±4.4 and those of the control group 16.4±4.8 and 22.4±3.7, respectively. When the medical treatment was ended, the WBC of the EPS and NIH-CPSI in the cranberry group were 2.5±2.1 and 14.1±4.1, and those of the control group were 2.7±1.9 and 13.7±2.1, respectively. After the three month follow-up, the cranberry group showed a WBC of 2.2±2.5 in the EPS and a NIH-CPSI of 12.7±3.9, a slight decrease or similar result compared to the treatment completion period. No patient showed aggravation of symptoms after drinking cranberry juice, whereas five from the control group did. Conclusions: Cranberry juice showed an effect in the prevention of a relapse in CPPS patients, with no adverse effects.