What are the indications for referral to a urologist for a patient with chronic prostatitis?

Indications for referral to a urologist in a patient with chronic prostatitis include:

• Diagnostic uncertainty about the condition.
• Severe symptoms, where clinical judgement should determine the urgency of referral.
• Persistence of symptoms despite initial management efforts.
• For men with suspected chronic bacterial prostatitis, especially those with a history of urinary tract infection or an episode of acute prostatitis within the last 12 months, specialist assessment is recommended.
• Recurrent urinary tract infections requiring further assessment to exclude underlying urological abnormalities such as prostatic enlargement, urinary calculi, or bladder cancer.

These referral criteria help ensure that men with complicated or unclear cases receive specialist evaluation and management to address potential underlying causes or complications.

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