Association Between Prostate Volume and Red Cell Distribution Width

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Hematology
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men, often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
• Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor in BPH pathogenesis.
• Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of erythrocyte size variability, reflecting red blood cell health and potentially indicating underlying inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• To explore RDW as a potential biomarker for BPH severity and surgical risk.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 942 men aged 60-85 with LUTS was analyzed.
• Exclusion criteria targeted conditions or medications affecting the lower urinary tract or erythrocytes.
• Multivariate linear regression and ANOVA were used to assess associations between RDW, inflammatory markers (WBC, CRP, ESR), prostate volume, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Main Results:

• A graded and independent association was found between RDW and prostate volume (P=0.001).
• RDW remained significantly associated with prostate volume after adjusting for age and hemoglobin.
• RDW was also significantly associated with the need for surgical treatment, even after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions:

• Increased RDW is correlated with prostate volume in men with LUTS, suggesting a link to inflammatory stress in BPH.
• The readily available and inexpensive RDW may serve as a valuable parameter in predicting surgical risk for BPH patients.