The impact of diabetes type 2 in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review.
BACKGROUND
Clinical observation of larger prostate glands in men with diabetes mellitus type 2 led some investigators to hypothesize that an association between these two conditions exists. In fact, both diseases are very common in men as they age and seem to be sharing similar epidemiologic features. Several studies examining the above hypothesis were yielded.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to summarize the existing literature focusing on the coexistence of BPH and diabetes mellitus type 2 and to elucidate whether or not an association among these conditions exists.


METHODS
We identified studies published from 1990 onwards by searching the MEDLINE database of the National Library of Medicine. Initial search terms were benign prostatic hyperplasia, epidemiology, and risk factor, combined with diet hyperinsulinemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2.


RESULTS
Diabetes mellitus type 2 and hyperinsulinemia are quite common conditions and often coexist with BPH. There are several studies (observational, epidemiological, and experimental) examining the association between them in literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence suggests that an association between BPH and diabetes through a common pathogenic mechanism is possible. The specific pathway interfering in the development of both conditions is still poorly investigated; thus, the exact relationship of BPH to diabetes remains unclear.
Stamatiou
K
K
Urology Department, Tzaneion General Hospital, 2 Salepoula street, 18536 Piraeus, Greece. stamatiouk@gmail.com
Lardas
M
M
Kostakos
E
E
Koutsonasios
V
V
Michail
E
E