INTRODUCTION: Androgen dependence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been well established; however, recent studies investigating other hormones such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) suggest that prostate growth may involve complex inter-relationships among endocrine factors. Although BPH and prostate cancer are more prevalent among African American (AA) men, studies to date have not been able to recruit large enough numbers of AA men. The objective of this study was to determine which hormonal factors are associated with prostate volume in a large community-based sample of AA men.
METHODS: A total of 364 AA men without clinical evidence of prostate cancer were identified in the Flint Men's Health Study using a population-based sampling procedure. All subjects underwent a complete evaluation that included prostate volume determination by transrectal ultrasonography and serum assays for androgens, estrogens, IGF, and binding proteins (BPs). Multiple linear regression models were constructed to identify significant hormonal factors associated with prostate volume while adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and tobacco and alcohol consumption.
RESULTS: Multivariable regression models demonstrated that prostate volume increased with increasing levels of IGF-BP3 (p=0.02) and serum testosterone (p=0.01) but decreased with increasing levels of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (p=0.003).
CONCLUSION: This is the first study of endocrine determinants of prostate volume in an African American population. These data demonstrate that prostate size is dependent upon a complex relationship between androgens, estrogens and the IGF axis.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Aging, Cancer
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.