Objective. To determine the clinical and anamnestic characteristics of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) depending on symptom severity assessed by the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI).

Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study included 128 men aged 18–40 years with CP/CPPS of at least 3 months’ duration. Patients were stratified according to the total NIH-CPSI score into groups with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. Clinical complaints, medical history, disease duration, body mass index, sexual activity characteristics, and findings of digital rectal examination were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using parametric and nonparametric methods.

Results. The severity of CP/CPPS symptoms significantly increased with longer disease duration and higher body mass index. Patients with severe disease were characterized by a higher prevalence of urinary and sexual complaints, as well as a more pronounced negative impact of the condition on quality of life. No significant age differences were observed between the groups. Prostate tenderness on digital rectal examination did not show a significant association with disease severity.

Conclusions. CP/CPPS is characterized by marked clinical heterogeneity, and stratification based on the NIH-CPSI represents an informative tool for assessing disease severity. More severe disease is associated with longer duration, increased body mass index, and a higher frequency of urinary and sexual disorders, which supports the importance of early diagnosis and an individualized approach to patient management.

Keywords: chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, NIH-CPSI, clinical and anamnestic characteristics, symptom severity, body mass index

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