Abstract
<jats:p>Background. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations and a complex pathophysiology involving both peripheral and central pain mechanisms. A neuropathic component of pain syndrome in this condition remains poorly understood. Aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of pain syndrome in patients with obesity, CP/CPPS with particular attention to a neuropathic component and to determine its association with clinical parameters of the disease. Materials and methods. Patients diagnosed with obesity, CP/CPPS were examined. Pain structure and severity were assessed using the National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), visual analogue scale, Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (DN4), and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Comparative and correlation analyses were performed according to the presence of a neuropathic component and the severity of symptoms. Results. Increased body mass index was associated with greater pain intensity. A neuropathic component of pain was identified in a substantial proportion of patients, irrespective of the overall symptom severity assessed by the NIH-CPSI. Patients with the DN4 ≥ 4 demonstrated higher pain intensity and a predominance of specific sensory descriptors, including aching, burning, stabbing sensations, and a feeling of heaviness. A strong correlation was observed between the DN4 scores and the sensory dimension of the SF-MPQ. Conclusions. A neuropathic component plays an important role in the clinical structure of pain in CP/CPPS and does not consistently parallel overall symptom severity. Combined use of the DN4 and SF-MPQ allows for a more detailed characterization of the pain phenotype and may support individualized therapeutic decision-making.</jats:p>