Body mass index and waist circumference in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to the proliferation of the stromal and epithelial cells at the transition zone of the prostate gland. This may result in bladder outlet obstruction which is associated with distressing lower urinary tract symptoms. There are conflicting reports on the association of obesity with BPH and the severity of the symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the relationship between symptomatic BPH and obesity, among patients presenting to the Urology Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). The waist circumference (WC) of each participant was measured and their body mass index (BMI) calculated using their weight and height. The severity of lower urinary tract symptoms of each participant was measured using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), and their prostate volume (PV) measured with a transrectal ultrasound scan. Data were entered into a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences for analysis.

Results: There were positive associations between BMI and PV (r = 0.160), as well as between WC and PV (r = 0.244). Analysis of the association between the IPSS and BMI (r = 0.243), as well as the IPSS and WC (r = 0.294) yielded statistically significant correlations.

Conclusion: Obesity, especially central obesity, is a risk factor for the development of BPH and also worsens lower urinary tract symptoms due to an enlarged prostate.