[HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in a population with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. RICARHD Study]. / Colesterol HDL y enfermedad cardiovascular en una población con hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Estudio RICARHD.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of low serum levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and its relationship with the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension attended in Internal Medicine and Nephrology offices. METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicenter study, conducted in diabetic patients with hypertension, aged >/= 55 years old. Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were obtained from the patient's hospital records. Low HDL-C was defined as <40 mg/dl (men) or <46 mg/dl (women). The relationship between low HDL-C and CVD was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: In 2,021 patients (mean age: 68.6 years, 48.9% women, 51.1% with established CVD), the prevalence of low HDL-C was 33.7% (95% CI: 31.5-35.7), it being higher in women (38.0%) than in men (29.6%, p<0.001), and higher in patients with previous CVD (37.3% vs. 29.9% in patients without CVD, p=0.001). In the multivariate analysis that included cardiovascular risk factors, an independent relationship between low HDL-C levels and CVD was observed (OR for CVD in patients with low HDL-C: 1.46 [CI 95%: 1.19-1.79, p<0.001]), compared to patients with normal HDL-C blood levels. A second model which was also adjusted for left ventricular hypertrophy and renal disease showed a similar association (OR 1.55 [1.21-2.00], p=0.001). This association was stronger in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: One out of three patients with diabetes and hypertension examined in Internal Medicine and Nephrology outpatient offices had low serum levels of HDL-C. Low HDL-C showed an independent relationship with a higher prevalence of CVD.

Colesterol HDL y enfermedad cardiovascular en una población con hipertensión y diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Estudio RICARHD / HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in a population with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. RICARHD Study

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del colesterol HDL (c-HDL) bajo y su asociación con la presencia de enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) en pacientes con diabetes mellitus (DM) tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial atendidos en consultas de medicina interna y nefrología. Métodos: Estudio transversal multicéntrico, realizado en diabéticos hipertensos de 55 años o más. Los datos demográficos, clínicos y bioquímicos se recogieron de las historias clínicas. Se definió el c-HDL bajo como inferior a 40 mg/dl (varones) e inferior a 46 mg/dl (mujeres). Se valoró la asociación entre c-HDL bajo y ECV mediante modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: En 2.021 pacientes (edad media 68,6 años; 48,9% mujeres; 51,1% con ECV establecida), la prevalencia de c-HDL bajo fue del 33,7% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 31,5-35,7), mayor en mujeres (38,0%) que en varones (29,6%, p<0,001) y mayor en los pacientes con ECV (37,3% frente a 29,9% en sujetos sin ECV, p=0,001). En un análisis multivariante que incluyó los factores de riesgo cardiovascular se observó una asociación independiente entre c-HDL bajo y ECV (odds ratio [OR] para ECV en sujetos con c-HDL bajo: 1,46 [1,19-1,79; p<0,001], respecto a sujetos con c-HDL normal). Un segundo modelo ajustado, además, por la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda y el daño renal mostró una asociación similar (OR 1,55 [1,21-2,00], p=0,001). La magnitud de la asociación fue superior en la mujer que en el hombre. Conclusiones: Uno de cada tres diabéticos hipertensos atendidos en consultas de medicina interna y nefrología presentó una concentración baja de c-HDL. La concentración baja de c-HDL se asoció, de forma independiente, a una mayor prevalencia de ECV (AU)

Objective To assess the prevalence of low serum levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and its relationship with the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension attended in Internal Medicine and Nephrology offices. Methods Cross-sectional, multicenter study, conducted in diabetic patients with hypertension, aged ≥ 55 years old. Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were obtained from the patient's hospital records. Low HDL-C was defined as <40 mg/dl (men) or <46 mg/dl (women). The relationship between low HDL-C and CVD was assessed using logistic regression models. Results: In 2,021 patients (mean age: 68.6 years, 48.9% women, 51.1% with established CVD), the prevalence of low HDL-C was 33.7% (95% CI: 31.5-35.7), it being higher in women (38.0%) than in men (29.6%, p<0.001), and higher in patients with previous CVD (37.3% vs. 29.9% in patients without CVD, p=0.001). In the multivariate analysis that included cardiovascular risk factors, an independent relationship between low HDL-C levels and CVD was observed (OR for CVD in patients with low HDL-C: 1.46 [CI 95%: 1.19-1.79, p<0.001]), compared to patients with normal HDL-C blood levels. A second model which was also adjusted for left ventricular hypertrophy and renal disease showed a similar association (OR 1.55 [1.21-2.00], p=0.001). This association was stronger in women than in men. Conclusions: One out of three patients with diabetes and hypertension examined in Internal Medicine and Nephrology outpatient offices had low serum levels of HDL-C. Low HDL-C showed an independent relationship with a higher prevalence of CVD (AU)

Actividad in vitro de ertapenem frente a cepas bacterianas clínicas aisladas en 69 centros médicos españoles (Estudio E-test®) / In vitro activity of ertapenem against clinical bacterial isolates in 69 Spanish medical centers (E-test® study)

Este estudio se realizó para evaluar la actividad in vitro de ertapenem frente a cepas bacterianas clínicas aisladas de infecciones intraabdominalesy de vías respiratorias bajas, extrahospitalarias, en España en 2003. Puesto que el estudio se efectuó antes de la comercialización del ertapenem,también fue útil para definir el patrón de sensibilidad basal al ertapenem en cada uno de los hospitales participantes para estudiosde vigilancia posteriores. Cada centro participante definió un número variable de cepas bacterianas aerobias y facultativas aisladas en dichasinfecciones utilizando procedimientos habituales. Para determinar la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) del ertapenem se utilizaron tirasreactivas de E-test®, mientras que para los otros antibióticos se emplearon técnicas de dilución cuantitativas o procedimientos de difusión cualitativos,según la práctica habitual de cada laboratorio de microbiología. Para interpretar los valores de la CMI se utilizaron los puntos de cortepara clasificación de la sensibilidad proporcionados por el CLSI. Se estudiaron 2901 cepas clínicas recientes aisladas de pacientes con infecciónintraabdominal o neumonía extrahospitalarias ingresados en 69 hospitales españoles: 2039 bacterias gramnegativas (1646 enterobacterias,216 hemófilos, 123 bacilos gramnegativos no fermentadores [BGNNF] y 54 de otros tipos) y 862 bacterias grampositivas (556 neumococos,159 estafilococos, 96 estreptococos distintos de S. pneumoniae, 44 enterococos y 7 de otro tipo). El ertapenem fue muy activo invitro frente a enterobacterias (99,8% sensibles), hemófilos (96,3% sensibles), neumococos (99,6% sensibles, de los que el 31% eran cepas nosensibles a la penicilina), estreptococos distintos de S. pneumoniae (99% sensibles) y estafilococos sensibles a la meticilina (94,8% sensibles)...(AU)

This study was conducted to assess the in vitro activity of ertapenem against clinical bacterial isolates from patients with community-acquiredintra-abdominal and lower tract respiratory infections in Spain in 2003. As the study was conducted before the marketing of ertapenem, itwas also useful to define a baseline susceptibility pattern for ertapenem in each of the participating hospitals for later surveillance studies.Each partipating site identified a variable number of aerobic and facultative bacteria isolated from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal infection or pneumonia using standard procedures. E-test® strips were used for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of ertapenem, while for other antimicrobials either quantitative dilution techniques or qualitative diffusion procedures were used accordingto each microbiology laboratory’s routine practice. MIC breakpoints for categorization of susceptibility provided by the CLSI were usedfor interpreting MIC values. A total of 2,901 recent clinical isolates from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal infection or pneumoniahospitalized in 69 Spanish medical centers were tested. These isolates included 2,039 Gram-negative bacteria (1,646 Enterobacteriaceae,216 Haemophilus, 123 non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria [NFGNB] and 54 others) and 862 Gram-positive bacteria (556 pneumococci,159 staphylococci, 96 streptococci other than S. pneumoniae, 44 enterococci and 7 others). Ertapenem was very active in vitroagainst Enterobacteriaceae (99.8% susceptible), Haemophilus (96.3% susceptible), pneumococci (99.6% susceptible, of which 31% were penicillinnon-susceptible strains), streptococci other than S. pneumoniae (99.0% susceptible) and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (94.8%susceptible)...(AU)

[In vitro activity of ertapenem against clinical bacterial isolates in 69 Spanish medical centers (E-test study)]. / Actividad in vitro de ertapenem frente a cepas bacterianas clínicas aisladas en 69 centros médicos españoles (Estudio E-test).

This study was conducted to assess the in vitro activity of ertapenem against clinical bacterial isolates from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal and lower tract respiratory infections in Spain in 2003. As the study was conducted before the marketing of ertapenem, it was also useful to define a baseline susceptibility pattern for ertapenem in each of the participating hospitals for later surveillance studies. Each partipating site identified a variable number of aerobic and facultative bacteria isolated from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal infection or pneumonia using standard procedures. E-test strips were used for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ertapenem, while for other antimicrobials either quantitative dilution techniques or qualitative diffusion procedures were used according to each microbiology laboratory's routine practice. MIC breakpoints for categorization of susceptibility provided by the CLSI were used for interpreting MIC values. A total of 2,901 recent clinical isolates from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal infection or pneumonia hospitalized in 69 Spanish medical centers were tested. These isolates included 2,039 Gram-negative bacteria (1,646 Enterobacteriaceae, 216 Haemophilus, 123 non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria [NFGNB] and 54 others) and 862 Gram-positive bacteria (556 pneumococci, 159 staphylococci, 96 streptococci other than S. pneumoniae, 44 enterococci and 7 others). Ertapenem was very active in vitro against Enterobacteriaceae (99.8% susceptible), Haemophilus (96.3% susceptible), pneumococci (99.6% susceptible, of which 31% were penicillin non-susceptible strains), streptococci other than S. pneumoniae (99.0% susceptible) and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (94.8% susceptible). For other Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens for which ertapenem susceptible breakpoints have not been defined, MIC(90) values were 0.38 and 0.064 mg/l, respectively. As expected, ertapenem had minimal activity in vitro against NFGNB, enterococci and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MIC(90) of >32 mg/l for all three). Ertapenem was highly active in vitro against most bacteria isolated from patients with community-acquired intra-abdominal and lower respiratory tract infections.

Effect of montelukast added to inhaled budesonide on control of mild to moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory leukotrienes, which are not completely inhibited by inhaled corticosteroids, may contribute to asthmatic problems [corrected]. A 16 week multicentre, randomised, double blind, controlled study was undertaken to study the efficacy of adding oral montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, to a constant dose of inhaled budesonide. METHODS: A total of 639 patients aged 18-70 years with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) > or =55% predicted and a minimum predefined level of asthma symptoms during a 2 week placebo run in period were randomised to receive montelukast 10 mg (n=326) or placebo (n=313) once daily for 16 weeks. All patients received a constant dose of budesonide (400-1600 microg/day) by Turbuhaler throughout the study. RESULTS: Mean FEV(1) at baseline was 81% predicted. The median percentage of asthma exacerbation days was 35% lower (3.1% v 4.8%; p=0.03) and the median percentage of asthma free days was 56% higher (66.1% v 42.3%; p=0.001) in the montelukast group than in the placebo group. Patients receiving concomitant treatment with montelukast had significantly (p<0.05) fewer nocturnal awakenings and significantly (p<0.05) greater improvements in beta agonist use and morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with mild airway obstruction and persistent asthma symptoms despite budesonide treatment, concomitant treatment with montelukast significantly improves asthma control.

[Morphologic course of prostatic hyperplasia]. / Evolución morfológica de la hiperplasia de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To find a morphologic model of the development of prostate hyperplasia. METHODS: Study of the transitional zone in 60 patients (30 with infravesical obstruction, 30 with no obstructive symptoms) and quantification of the involved surface, number of pure stromal and glandular-stromal nodes, node area for each of them, and non-nodular area of the transitional zone, correlating each parameter to age based on clinical status. RESULTS: The greater transitional zone area is seen in patients with obstruction: 1376.83 +/- 408.17 mm2 vs 321.39 +/- 151.49 mm2 in asymptomatic patients, mainly due to a higher number of glandular-stromal nodes (17 vs 2.2) and their size, with a correlation to age (p = 0.03). Moderate increases of non-nodular areas are also found. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that onset of prostate hyperplasia may be due to a consistent increase of the transitional area, and that in some patients, probably because of local factors, nodular development occurs as a result of both an increase in nodes number and size.

Evolución morfológica de la hiperplasia de próstata / Morphologic evolution of prostate hyperplasia

OBJETIVO: Hallar un modelo morfológico del desarrollo de la hiperplasia prostática. MÉTODOS: Se estudia la zona de transición de 60 pacientes (30 con obstrucción infravesical, y otros 30 sin síntomas obstructivos), cuantificándose la superficie de dicha zona, el número de nódu-los estromales puros y glándulo-estromales, el área nodular de cada uno de ellos, y el área no nodu-lar de la zona de transición, correlacionando cada uno de estos parámetros con la edad, de acuerdo a la situación clínica. RESULTADOS: La mayor área de la zona de transición se observa en los pacientes obstruidos, que es de 1376,83 ñ 408,17 mm2 frente a los 321,39 ñ 151,49 mm2 en los asintomáticos, y, a expensas, sobre todo, al incremento del número de nódulos glándulo-estromales (17 vs 2.2), y de su tamaño, correlacionándose con la edad (p = 0,03). También hay un moderado incremento del área no nodular. CONCLUSIONES: Estos hallazgos sugieren que el inicio de la hiperplasia prostática puede ser un incremento homogéneo de la zona de transición, y que en algunos pacientes, probablemente por fac-tores locales, se produce el desarrollo nodular, preferentemente glándulo-estromal, tanto por el aumento del número de nódulos como de su tamaño (AU)

Comparative study of home and office blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated with enalapril/HCTZ 20/6 mg: the ESPADA study.

The introduction and generalization of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring has shown the clinical relevance of home BP. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of home-measured BP for monitoring and controlling patients with arterial hypertension while on a homogeneous treatment. An additional objective was to establish the degree of office BP control obtained. This was a prospective, longitudinal, observational and multicenter study in a cohort of 156 patients of both sexes, aged over 18 years and with essential hypertension. All of them received the fixed combination enalapril/HCTZ 20/6 mg as the only hypertensive agent for at least 4 weeks previously. Office BP was the average of three measurements. For home BP, a semi-automated device (OMRON HEM 705 CP) was used. The patients measured their BP twice a day for 2 consecutive days. The average differences between the two measuring methods were low, but significant: 3.99 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP; p < 0.05), 2.02 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP; p < 0.05). Pearson's regression coefficient between the office and home values was highly significant (p < 0.0001) for SBP, DBP and heart rate. Home BP measurement was highly reproducible as shown by the high within-class correlation coefficient for individual measurements on the first day compared with the second: 0.88 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.82-0.92; p < 0.00001) for SBP and 0.89 for DBP (95% CI 0.83-0.93; p < 0.00001). The percentage of patients with strict office DBP and SBP control (< 140/90 mmHg) was 61.3% and with DBP control (<90 mmHg) 92%. In conclusion, in the ESPADA study, the application of home BP measurement is valid, reproducible and shows a high correlation with office BP.

Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 in human benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with finasteride.

BACKGROUND: The development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an androgen-dependent process which may be mediated by a number of locally produced growth factors. One of these, the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF2), has a mitogenic effect on prostatic stroma. High expression levels of bFGF have been reported in BPH. FGFR1 and FGFR2 receptors, that exhibit affinity for bFGF, have been identified in normal and hyperplastic prostate. Finasteride, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, is an effective drug in the treatment of BPH, inducing regressive changes in the prostate of treated patients, even though its mechanisms of action are not yet completely elucidated. This study was designed to assess the effects of finasteride on the expression levels of bFGF, FGFR1, and FGFR2 in patients with BPH. METHODS: The expression levels of bFGF, FGFR1, and FGFR2 in 9 patients with prostatic hyperplasia treated with finasteride were assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of mRNA expression and were compared with those of 9 control patients with untreated BPH. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed strong bFGF immunoreactivity in the prostatic stroma of untreated patients, this being somewhat weaker in the epithelium. In treated patients, epithelial immunoreactivity was practically negative, and a considerable reduction in stromal immunoreactivity was seen. These findings were also confirmed by RT-PCR. FGFR1 showed a weak immunoreactivity in the stroma and in basal epithelial cells. FGFR1 showed a weak immunoreactivity in the stroma and in basal epithelial cells. FGFR2 exhibited strong stromal immunoreactivity, becoming weaker in the basal epithelium. No differences were seen in the expression of both receptors between the groups of treated and untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS: A marked reduction in bFGF levels is seen in BPH treated with finasteride in comparison to untreated BPH. In our opinion, finasteride may act as a negative regulator of bFGF expression, counteracting the role of bFGF in the development of BPH.

Regressive changes in finasteride-treated human hyperplastic prostates correlate with an upregulation of TGF-beta receptor expression.

BACKGROUND: Prostatic atrophy has been documented histologically as a consequence of finasteride action on human hyperplastic prostates. An increase in apoptotic rates has also been reported in androgen-deprived hyperplastic prostates. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling is implicated in apoptotic cell death. TGF-betas have been detected in normal and diseased human prostate. In the normal prostate, TGF-beta acts as a predominantly negative growth regulator. TGF-beta signaling receptors TbetaRI and TbetaRII have been shown to be negatively regulated by androgens. METHODS: We studied the histological changes in 9 selected finasteride-treated patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and analyzed the levels of expression and localization of TGF-beta receptor types TbetaRI and TbetaRII in these patients as compared to selected BPH controls. RESULTS: The prostatic epithelial compartment seemed to be a primary target site for finasteride action, since we observed moderate to severe glandular atrophy after 4-6 months of treatment. TGF-beta receptors were upregulated in treated cases. We assessed a twofold increase in TbetaRII mRNA levels in treated cases as compared to controls. An increase in both TbetaRI and TbetaRII at the protein level by immunostaining was observed, which also provided a helpful means for detecting glands undergoing regression. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that finasteride may modulate the TGF-beta signaling system to promote changes leading to apoptosis of epithelial cells and prostatic glandular atrophy.

[Relationship of prostatic carcinoma of the peripheral zone with glandular atrophy and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia]. / Relación del carcinoma prostático de la zona periférica con la atrofia glandular y la neoplasia intraepitelial prostática.

The study of the prostate's peripheral area in 32 patients, with age ranging between 48 to 75 years (mean, 61.4 +/- 6.7), demonstrates the frequency of certain morphological changes such as glandular atrophy (46.8%), which are neither related to age (p = 0.8) or the carcinoma (p = 0.8). A very different issue is the prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, which although not statistically related to age in this series (p = 0.3) (probably due to the absence of young adults), appears to develop in earlier stages than cancer, is associated in 88.8% carcinomas (p = 0.03) and has a close topographic correlation to latent microscopic foci of adenocarcinoma of the prostate's peripheral area, anatomic proximity of both lesions occurring in 55.5% cases.

Comparison of digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasonography, and multicoil magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative evaluation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective study was designed to compare the potentials of digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using integrated endorectal and pelvic phased-array coils for preoperative estimation of tumor volume and local extent of prostate cancer. METHODS: Evaluation of 20 consecutive patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy included DRE, TRUS with a 7.5-MHz transducer, and MRI on a 1.5-tesla GE Signa system. Step sections (5 mm) of the entire specimen were performed, and tumor volume and percentage of gland involved were calculated. RESULTS: DRE, TRUS, and endorectal and pelvic phased-array MRI showed 50, 75, and 95% of the cancers, respectively. There was a linear correlation on MRI between predicted tumor volume and pathological tumor volume (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001), but not between predicted volume on DRE or TRUS and real volume. The accuracy for detecting extracapsular penetration was 60% for DRE and TRUS and 79% for MRI. The accuracy for detecting seminal vesicle invasion was 60% for DRE, 66 for TRUS, and 89% for MRI. The negative predictive value for extracapsular and seminal vesicle extension was highest for MRI (85 and 93%, respectively). The accuracy for tumor location in the apex of the prostate was 30% for DRE, 47 for TRUS, and 89% for MRI. CONCLUSIONS: MRI with integrated endorectal and pelvic phased-array coils satisfactorily predicted tumor volume and tumor extent preoperatively. Multicoil MRI can assist in decision making as it is valuable in the definition of patients that may benefit from surgery and can be of help for evaluating the risk of a positive margin, especially in the apical resection.

[Geriatrics seen from the primary care perspective]. / La geriatría vista desde la atención primaria.

PURPOSE: To know the Primary Care Physicians opinion related to their own praxis, background, and needs for a specific medical support in geriatric medicine. METHODS: A closed mailed questionnaire, with 22 items. Descriptive analysis of the results. PEOPLE SAMPLE: 559 answers. 77% men. Age: main group (44%) between 35 and 39 years old. 80% of the sample worked in health centers as primary care physicians. RESULTS: a) Praxis: 50% of the physicians attend more than 20 elderly patients every day. 38% of them have specific aged oriented protocols. 74% of them take age into account when decide the appropriate doses of drugs. b) Geriatric background: None at the undergraduate period: 96%. Some sort of postgraduate formation: 42%. Are able to identify at less a geriatric book: 34%. A score of 4.5 (over 10) was the result of their own assessment about their level of geriatric knowledge. 95% of the answers miss a better formation in geriatrics, and 93% of them think that this formation would change their clinical approach to the elderly patient. c) Needs of specialized geriatric support: It would be helpful to them according to a 84% of the answers. It could be as a "Geriatric Inhospital Service" in the opinion of a 44% of the cases (this question had a 18% of abstentions); and with geriatricians working as extrahospitalary consultants according to the answers of the 79% (6% of abstentions). CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians have: 1. Many elderly patients, with an acceptable level of attention to them. 2. A poor geriatric formation and awareness of their needs. 3. Need of a specialized support in their daily work.

Neuroendocrine cells in peripheral prostatic zone: age, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and latent cancer-related changes.

The neuroendocrine cells (NCs) in the peripheral prostatic zone of 32 patients without prostatic symptoms and with an average age of 61.4 +/- 6.7 (range 48-75) years were studied, and it was found that most are closed-type cells (95.8%) and that there is a gradual fall both in their total number and the number per square millimeter (p = 0.03) with advancing age. There were microscopic foci of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in 59.3% of the patients and occult carcinomas in 28.1%, but no statistical relationship was found between these lesions and the number of NCs (p = 0.35 and p = 0.9, respectively). The gradual increase in NCs in the peripheral zone of normal prostates as of adolescence, reported in the literature, would appear to support a possible androgenic action on these cells. Our finding of a decrease in patients with foci of PIN and carcinoma from the fifth decade suggests that this decrease in NCs may make the prostate more susceptible to carcinogenic factors.