Optimal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level for decreasing benign prostatic hyperplasia in men not taking...

We evaluated the optimal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) prevention in men not taking statin medication using a large historical cohort.

We initially selected 130 454 men who underwent health checkups in 2009 from the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service. After excluding 36 854 men with BPH in 2009, and 45 061 men for statin use, 48 539 men were ultimately included in the analysis. A Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the optimal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level for preventing BPH.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were less than 40 mg/dL in 7431 (15.3%) men, 40 to 49 in 15 861 (32.7%), 50 to 59 in 15 328 (27.5%), and greater than or equal to 60 in 11 919 (24.6%). The overall cumulative incidence of BPH was 4.4%, 8.7%, 13.0%, and 17.8% at the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year follow-up periods, respectively. In multivariable analysis, high-density lipoprotein greater than or equal to 60 mg/dL were significantly associated with a decreased incidence of BPH, as were age, residence, income, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, triglyceride, and increased annual clinic visits, especially in men in their 40s.

Elevated serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were negatively associated with BPH incidence. In addition, maintaining high-density lipoprotein greater than or equal to 60 mg/dL was associated with a decreased BPH incidence compared with high-density lipoprotein less than 40 mg/dL, especially in men in their 40s.