Prevalence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia on Jeju Island: Analysis from a Cross-sectional Community-based Survey

We report on the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men of Jeju Island, representing a coastal and insular area, using a cross-sectional community-based survey.

A total of 553 participants in a prostate health screening campaign on Jeju Island were subjected to measurements of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate volume, uroflowmetry, postvoiding residual urine volume, and prostate-specific antigen levels. Eliminating 58 participants who were suspected of having prostate cancer, we analyzed the data from 495 participants. The definition of BPH was a combination of moderate IPSS (8~19) to severe IPSS (>19) and prostate enlargement (>30 g on transrectal ultrasonography).

The prevalence of BPH was 21.0% overall: 11.6% among subjects aged 50~59 years, 18.1% for those aged 60~69, 30.8% for those aged 70~79 and 50.8% among those aged 80 years or more. Compared with previous studies in urban or rural areas, the prevalence was slightly lower. The prevalence of BPH and of moderate to severe LUTS increased with age and showed significant differences between age groups (p=0.028 and 0.033, respectively). A positive correlation was found between the IPSS and quality of life score. Among subunits of IPSS, the nocturia score contributed most to the severity of LUTS and had the highest correlation with a quality of life score.

The overall prevalence of BPH in this study was 21.0%, which is slightly lower than in previous studies in urban or rural areas.