Atherosclerosis as a risk factor for benign prostatic hyperplasia

• Published in: BJU international Vol. 98; no. 5; pp. 1038 - 1042
• Main Authors: Berger, Andreas P., Bartsch, Georg, Deibl, Martina, Alber, Hannes, Pachinger, Otmar, Fritsche, Gernot, Rantner, Barbara, Fraedrich, Gustav, Pallwein, Leo, Aigner, Fritz, Horninger, Wolfgang, Frauscher, Ferdinand
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: Aged; atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - complications; Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; BPH; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cohort Studies; coronary artery disease; Coronary Disease - complications; Coronary Disease - diagnostic imaging; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; peripheral arterial occlusive disease; Peripheral Vascular Diseases - complications; Peripheral Vascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Prostate - blood supply; Prostatic Hyperplasia - diagnostic imaging; Prostatic Hyperplasia - etiology; Risk Factors; Tumors of the urinary system; Ultrasonography; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Austria; Europe; Endocrinopathy; Human; coronary artery disease; Nephrology; Urinary system disease; Prostate disease; Diabetes mellitus; Cardiovascular disease; peripheral arterial occlusive disease; Coronary heart disease; Epidemiology; Urology; Arterial disease; Vascular disease; Atherosclerosis; Risk factor; Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Occlusive arterial disease; Benign neoplasm; BPH; Male genital diseases; Public health
• ISSN: 1464-4096; 1464-410X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06400.x

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and atherosclerosis, using colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and symptom scores. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS CDUS was used to evaluate prostatic vascularity in four groups of men, comprising young healthy subjects, patients presenting with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, or peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Resistive index (RI) measurements and computer‐assisted quantification of colour pixel density (CPD) were used to objectively evaluate perfusion. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function were used to quantify symptoms. RESULTS In diabetic patients and men with PAOD, perfusion of the transition zone (TZ) of the prostate was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and the RI of the TZ was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in healthy controls and men with CAD. In diabetics and men with PAOD, the mean prostate volume was greater than in healthy controls and men with CAD. The IPSS in patients with vascular damage (diabetes, PAOD) was significantly worse than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The significantly lower CPD and higher RI values of the TZ in patients with vascular disease than in healthy subjects support the hypothesis that an age‐related impairment of blood supply to the prostate has a key role in the development of BPH.