EVALUATION OF THE PSEP DIAGNOSTIC KIT (COLLOIDAL GOLD) FOR CHRONIC PROSTATITIS IN MALE ATHLETES WITH PREMATURE EJACULATION: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH CONSIDERING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of prostatic exosomal protein (PSEP) in patients with chronic prostatitis (CP) and premature ejaculation (PE), including a specific focus on male athletes. Given the potential physical and psychological stressors unique to athletes, understanding the role of PSEP in this subgroup is crucial. Methods: A cohort of 197 patients experiencing PE, including a subgroup of male athletes, was examined using PSEP diagnostic kits (colloidal gold) to measure urinary PSEP levels. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the PSEP test against traditional methods such as B-ultrasound and EPS, along with clinical diagnostics. The correlation between PSEP levels and clinical pathological features, including the impact on mental health and athletic performance, was analyzed. Results: The PSEP diagnostic kit demonstrated an 81.22% positive rate for CP diagnosis with a sensitivity of 94.1%, specificity of 71.1%, and a Youden index of 65.2%, outperforming other diagnostic methods. PSEP levels were inversely related to the severity of IIEF-5 scores, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker for CP treatment in PE patients. Furthermore, the NIH-CPSI scores' AUC for PE remission post-CP treatment was 0.7408, with a cut-off value of 16.5. This suggests that treating moderate to severe CP could improve PE symptoms, highlighting the importance of mental health and physical conditioning in the treatment outcomes for male athletes. Conclusions: The PSEP diagnostic kit (colloidal gold) offers a novel, reliable, and non-invasive approach for diagnosing CP in patients with PE, with particular significance for male athletes. The study underscores a link between CP and PE and positions PSEP as a valuable indicator of treatment efficacy, emphasizing the necessity of integrating physical and mental health considerations in managing these conditions.