RESUMO
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between the occurrence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an androgen-dependent disease, and coronary artery disease (defined as history of coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary angioplasty, myocardial infarction) in elderly men. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Urology practice. PATIENTS: Seven hundred two elderly men aged 65-80 years. INTERVENTION: The men's charts were reviewed for data pertaining to coronary artery disease, risk factors for coronary artery disease, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Men who had medical conditions, pharmacologic interventions, or surgical procedures that could alter PSA, and those taking lipid-lowering agents were not included. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PSA levels correlate positively with prostatic volume of BPH. In men with levels under 1.0 pg/L (no BPH) and over 1.0 microg/L (BPH present), the frequency of coronary artery disease was 9% and 29%, respectively (p<0.03). No significant differences were noted between groups in other accepted risk factors for coronary artery disease including age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension. CONCLUSION: Smooth muscle proliferation is an important and possibly androgen-dependent step in the development of atherosclerosis and BPH. Prospective studies are required to assess the effect of antiandrogens on atherosclerosis.
