The Association of Prostate Volume with Obesity Index

Min, Hong Gi; Lee, Sang Yeoup; Ahn, Sung Ryul; Kim, Yong Ju; Choi, Sang Han; Kim, Yun Jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study as to assess the impact of obesity on prostate volume by estimating prostate volume using transrectal ultrasonography in men without obesity related metabolic diseases.
METHODS
The study sample consisted of 135 men (age 51.8+/-8.0 y) in whom trans-rectal ultrasonography was performed to estimate the prostate volume at an university hospital in Pusan from March 2001 to April 2002. The subjects with obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were excluded. Subjects were divided into three groups -normal, overweight, and obese- according to body mass index (BMI) and also classified into two groups -normal, central obese- according to abdominal circumference. Differences in means of prostate volume in three groups divided by BMI and two groups by abdominal circumference, respectively, were tested using ANOVA with Sheffe posthoc test and two-sample t test. The correlation between prostate volume and age, obesity index, male hormone and lifestyle factors were assessed using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. Multiple logistic analysis were used to evaluate the independent factor associated with prostatic hyperplasia defined as volume more than 20 cc.
RESULTS
The mean prostate volume was significantly larger in obese group than normal group (P<0.05) and in central obese group than normal group (P<0.05). The prostate volume correlated with BMI, abdominal circumference after adjusting for age. Central obesity was an independent factor affecting prostatic hyperplasia (OR=4.3, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
There was significantly larger prostate volume in both obese and central obese group than normal group after excluding for obesity related metabolic diseases. Although both BMI and abdominal circumference were positively correlated with the prostate volume, central obesity was the only independent factor affecting prostate hyperplasia. We suggest central obesity to be a risk factor of prostatic hyperplasia.