Relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and history of coronary artery disease in elderly men.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between the occurrence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an androgen-dependent disease, and coronary artery disease (defined as history of coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary angioplasty, myocardial infarction) in elderly men.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Urology practice.


METHODS
Seven hundred two elderly men aged 65-80 years.


METHODS
The men's charts were reviewed for data pertaining to coronary artery disease, risk factors for coronary artery disease, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Men who had medical conditions, pharmacologic interventions, or surgical procedures that could alter PSA, and those taking lipid-lowering agents were not included.


RESULTS
PSA levels correlate positively with prostatic volume of BPH. In men with levels under 1.0 pg/L (no BPH) and over 1.0 microg/L (BPH present), the frequency of coronary artery disease was 9% and 29%, respectively (p<0.03). No significant differences were noted between groups in other accepted risk factors for coronary artery disease including age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Smooth muscle proliferation is an important and possibly androgen-dependent step in the development of atherosclerosis and BPH. Prospective studies are required to assess the effect of antiandrogens on atherosclerosis.
Weisman
K M
KM
Department of Surgery, Taylor Hospital, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Larijani
G E
GE
Goldstein
M R
MR
Goldberg
M E
ME
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen