Cross-sectional study on the association between serum uric acid levels and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Serum uric acid (SUA), a non-protein antioxidant, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. This study aimed to investigate the association between SUA levels and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

This cross-sectional study included 48 653 adult men who underwent health checkups at the Health Examination Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University in 2022. Data on demographics, clinical history and laboratory parameters were collected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between SUA levels and BPH risk, with further exploration in different subgroups.

Logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly decreased risk of BPH among participants in the highest SUA quartile (Q4) compared with those in the lowest quartile (Q1) (fully adjusted OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.90, p<0.0001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that this inverse association was more pronounced in subgroups of age>60 years (Q4: OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.87, p<0.0001), non-obesity (Q4: OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.87, p<0.0001), without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Q4: OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89, p<0.0001), hypertension (Q4: OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.89, p<0.0001) and without diabetes (Q4: OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.90, p<0.0001). Curve fitting revealed that higher SUA levels were associated with a lower risk of BPH even in the presence of increased BPH risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension.

This study demonstrates a significant inverse association between SUA levels and BPH risk, particularly in subgroups of older age, non-obesity, absence of NAFLD, hypertension and absence of diabetes. This suggests a potential protective role of SUA in BPH development, highlighting the potential value of maintaining SUA levels within a reasonable range for BPH prevention.