The relationship between anogenital distance and benign prostate hyperplasia-related lower urinary tract symptoms

Abstract

Anogenital distance (AGD) is the length between the genitals and anus which shows an androgenic activity in the evolution of the reproductive system in the uterine life. For prostatic evolution and development during the embryological stage, androgen exposure is required. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between AGD and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). A total of 70 patients who were admitted to our urology clinics with LUTS due to BPH (LUTS group) and 70 patients without LUTS (control group) were included. All patients were administered an International Prostate Symptom Score form. Data including height, weight, body mass index, total prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume and uroflowmetry Qmax values of all patients were evaluated. The AGD of the LUTS and control groups was measured. The mean AGD^AS values of the LUTS group were significantly lower than the control group (p = .013). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean adjusted AGD^AP values (p = .241). However, the mean adjusted AGD^AS values were significantly lower in the LUTS group than the control group (p = .002). Our study results suggest that AGD may be a useful marker in BPH-related LUTS.

Keywords: anogenital distance; lower urinary tract symptoms; marker.