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Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance and the Risk of BPH/LUTS: an Update of Recent Literature

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (K McVary, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in older men and represent a substantial challenge to public health. Increasing epidemiologic evidence suggests that diabetes and associated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance significantly increase the risks of BPH and LUTS. Plausible pathophysiologic mechanisms to explain these associations include increased sympathetic tone, stimulation of prostate growth by insulin and related trophic factors, alterations in sex steroid hormone expression, and induction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. This article presents a comprehensive update of the current understanding of clinical and epidemiologic research on diabetes and BPH/LUTS, describes hypothesized pathophysiologic mechanisms linking these conditions, and recommends future directions for research.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Benjamin N. Breyer and Dr. Aruna V. Sarma each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, Suite 3A20, San Francisco, CA, 94110-1444, USA

    Benjamin N. Breyer

  2. Department of Urology and Epidemiology, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Room 109E, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA

    Aruna V. Sarma

Authors
  1. Benjamin N. Breyer
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  2. Aruna V. Sarma
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Correspondence to Aruna V. Sarma.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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Breyer, B.N., Sarma, A.V. Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance and the Risk of BPH/LUTS: an Update of Recent Literature. Curr Urol Rep 15, 462 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-014-0462-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-014-0462-x

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