[Content of neutrophil elastase in EPS and seminal plasma: A combined predictor in the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of the content of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) and seminal plasma (SP) as a combined predictor in the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility. METHODS: This study included 62 fathers (group A) and 67 infertile men (group B), all with type IIIA prostatitis, and another 57 controls with no genitourinary tract disease (group C). We measured the NE contents in the EPS and SP, obtained the results of routine semen and EPS examinations and Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), and calculated the ratio of EPS NE/SP NE by binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The combined predictor of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was SP NE-2 × EPS NE. Among the 129 patients with type IIIA prostatitis, the combined predictor was correlated strongly negatively with the WBC count in the EPS (r = －0.914, P <0.01), negatively with CPSI, sperm concentration, sperm mobility and sperm viability (P <0.01), but not significantly with the WBC count or pH value in the SP (P >0.05). The mean values of the combined predictor in groups A, B, and C were －2 238 (95% CI: －2 595 to －2 054), －1 511 (95% CI: －1 778 to －1 307), and －148 (95% CI: －181 to －118), respectively, with statistically significant differences between the cases and controls as well as between groups A and B (P <0.01). The area under the ROC curve of the combined predictor for the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility was 0.71 (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The content of neutrophil elastase in the EPS combined with that in the seminal plasma contributes to the diagnosis of type IIIA prostatitis with secondary infertility, which is superior to either the neutrophil elastase content in the EPS or that in the seminal plasma used alone.

Survey of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding reproductive health among urban men in China: a descriptive study.

There has been little focus on men's reproductive health (RH) in China. This descriptive study conducted in Yiling District, Yichang, China, surveyed male knowledge of sexual physiology and RH to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A total of 3933 men, aged 18-59 years (mean, 40.3 years), were recruited by cluster random sampling. They completed a questionnaire in the presence of an interviewer, with items related to subject characteristics, RH knowledge, and subjective symptoms of the reproductive system. Physical examination and reproductive system disease diagnosis were performed. Participants' occupations were predominantly skilled labor (80.5%). Nearly four-fifths (78.5%) respondents had at least one reproductive disease. Over half of respondents were aware of and declared a positive attitude about sexual physiology and safe sex, and 70% of them selected to visit a doctor when they had a reproductive disorder. However, only 41.9% believed human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome could be transmitted through breastfeeding, and 64.6% incorrectly thought they could avoid contracting STDs by cleaning their genitals after intercourse. In addition, 45% discriminated against and were unwilling to be friends with infected persons. Nearly 45% of those with a reproductive system disorder refused to discuss it with friends or family members. These results indicate that this cohort of Chinese men had a certain degree of KAP about RH, whereas some aspects require further public health education in the general population. It is necessary to disseminate accurate knowledge of STD risk in China based on sociodemographic characteristics.