At the International Prostatitis Collaborative Network (IPCN) meeting in October 2000, the following observations were made regarding the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis: 1) history; 2) physical examination including rectal examination; 3) localized bacterial culture method in the lower urinary tract (4-cup or 2-cup test). The recommended items include: 1) chronic prostatitis symptom score index (CPSI); 2) urinary flow rate; 3) residual urine (ultrasound). Optional items include: 1. semen specimen testing; 2. urethral swab culture; 3. pressure flow measurement; 4. television urodynamic measurements including electromyography; 5. transrectal ultrasound; 6. prostate-specific antigen (PSA). There are more items for the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis, which should be applied clinically in conjunction with specific situations. The fact that it is based on clinical symptoms only, without any examination, may cause misdiagnosis. And a large number of tests performed blindly are bound to be many of them unnecessary or not helpful to the condition and treatment.