Obesity Found to Increase BPH Risk

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has long been thought to be an inevitable function of genetic predisposition and age related changes in sex steroid hormones and detrusor function.

A recent review of published data on obesity, BPH, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and physical activity suggests that systemic metabolic disturbances contribute to the pathogenesis of BPH.

The findings, published in the Journal of Urology (2013; 189:S102-S106), included a positive association between body mass index (BMI), waste circumference, and prostate volume. The risk of prostate enlargement (40 g or more) was 41% greater in obese men (BMI greater than 35 kg/m²) than non-obese men (BMI less than 25).

Moreover, obesity increases the risk of LUTS, including nocturia, incomplete emptying, weak stream, and hesitancy.

From the May 01, 2013 Issue of Renal and Urology News