Tracking and analysis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer burden globally: 1990-2021 epidemiological...

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are prevalent prostate conditions in middle-aged and elderly men, yet comprehensive and current epidemiological data remain scarce. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the global burdens of BPH and PCa from 1990 to 2021.

We analyzed data on BPH and PCa from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database, including incidence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), mortality, and attributable risk factors. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to assess trends in age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR), and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR). We also examined correlations between the burden of these conditions and socio-demographic indices (SDI).

From 1990 to 2021, the incidence of BPH and PCa increased by 115.23% and 161.66%, respectively. Over the 32-year period, PCa showed a decreasing trend in ASMR and ASDR (EAPC =-0.68 and -0.83, respectively), with no significant change in ASIR. BPH burdens were highest in Eastern Europe and Asia, while PCa burdens were concentrated in high-income North America and Australasia. The highest incidence rates for BPH were in the 65-69 age group, and for PCa in those aged 85 years and older. Smoking-related DALYs and mortality among PCa patients decreased annually across all age groups throughout the study period.

BPH and PCa continue to pose significant global health challenges due to their increasing absolute burden. Although the relative burden of BPH remains stable and PCa shows a declining trend, strategic resource allocation based on regional epidemiological features and geographical distributions is crucial.