Effect of allopurinol in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The exact mechanism of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis has not been yet elucidated and the outcome with the current management is dismal. In this trial, we studied the effect of allopurinol in the treatment of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized double blind controlled trial, a calculated sample size of 56 were grouped into "intervention group" who received allopurinol (100 mg tds for 3 months) with ofloxacin (200 mg tds) for 3 weeks (n = 29) and "control group" who received placebo tablets with ofloxacin (n = 27). Patients' scores based on the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Score were recorded before therapy and then every month during the study. A four-glass study was performed before intervention and after 3 months. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar regarding outcome variables. In the first month of study, a significant but similar improvement in symptom scores was observed in both groups. Microscopic examination of prostate massage and post-massage samples were also similar in both groups. No side effects due to allopurinol were observed in patients. CONCLUSION: We did not find any advantage for allopurinol in the management of chronic prostatitis versus placebo in patients receiving routine antibacterial treatment.