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Cigarette smoking and prostatism: a biphasic association?
R O Roberts1, S J Jacobsen, T Rhodes
1Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota.
Urology
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Light to moderate cigarette smoking may be associated with a lower likelihood of developing prostatism. However, heavy smoking does not appear to reduce the risk of moderate to severe prostatism.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Prostatism, a condition characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms, affects a significant number of aging men.
- The role of lifestyle factors, such as cigarette smoking, in the development of prostatism remains an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and prostatism in a community-based cohort.
- To utilize objective measures including urinary symptom scores, peak urinary flow rates, and prostatic volume.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort of 2,115 Caucasian men aged 40-79 years was studied.
- Validated questionnaires assessed urinary symptoms and detailed smoking history (amount and pack-years).
- Peak urinary flow rates and prostatic volume (transrectal ultrasound) were measured in subsamples.
Main Results:
- Smokers were less likely to report moderate to severe urinary symptoms compared to never-smokers (OR 0.82).
- This association varied by smoking intensity: light (<1 pack/day) smokers had lower odds (OR 0.53), while heavy (≥1.5 packs/day) smokers had increased odds (OR 1.32).
- Smokers also showed reduced odds of impaired peak urinary flow rate (OR 0.48) and larger prostatic volume (OR 0.54).
Conclusions:
- Light to moderate cigarette smoking appears to be associated with a decreased likelihood of moderate to severe prostatism.
- Heavy smokers, however, do not exhibit a reduced risk and may have an increased likelihood of prostatism compared to non-smokers.