Dietary patterns and surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case control study in Western Australia

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
• Established risk factors for BPH are limited, prompting investigation into other potential influences.
• Dietary patterns are increasingly recognized for their potential role in BPH development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between dietary patterns and food intake and the risk of surgically treated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• To identify specific dietary components that may influence BPH risk.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted in Western Australia involving 406 BPH cases and 462 controls aged 40-75.
• Dietary intake 10 years prior was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
• Factor analysis identified dietary patterns, and logistic regression analyzed the risk of BPH associated with diet.

Main Results:

• Three dietary patterns were identified: 'Vegetable', 'Western', and 'Health Conscious'.
• A 'Vegetable' dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of BPH (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.98).
• Higher intake of vegetables, tofu, and red meat showed inverse BPH risk, while high-fat dairy intake correlated with increased risk.

Conclusions:

• Vegetables, soy products, and red meat consumption may be protective against BPH development.
• High-fat dairy products may contribute to an increased risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Dietary interventions focusing on vegetable and soy intake could be beneficial for BPH prevention.