Purpose: To explore the value and significance of neutrophil elastase (NE) in diagnosis of type III prostatitis.
Materials and methods: The prospective study recruited 123 patients diagnosed with type III prostatitis (IIIA, 36 cases; IIIB, 87 cases) and 84 healthy controls, between April 2008 and July 2012. NE concentrations in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS), EPS routine examination, bacterial culture and The National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) score were detected in all the subjects. Difference of NE, CPSI score, and withe blood cell (WBC) count between 2 or more than 2 groups and relationships between NE concentrations and WBC count were all analyzed.
Results: There was significant difference in levels of NE (P < .05) between IIIA and IIIB groups, and obviously positive correlation between the level of NE and number of leukocyte in type IIIA prostatitis group was observed (P < .05). The values of CPSI score between IIIA and IIIB groups was statistically significant (P = .037). The levels of leukocyte mount, NE and CPSI were statistically significant between IIIA and the control group (P < .05). NE concentration and CPSI score were statistically significant between IIIB and control group (P < .05), while the numbers of leukocyte was not statistically significant (P = .360).
Conclusion: The level of NE in EPS is a significant indicator in diagnosis of type IIIA and IIIB prostatitis.