Tracking and analysis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer burden globally: 1990-2021 epidemiological trends.

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are prevalent prostate conditions in middle-aged and elderly men, yet comprehensive and current epidemiological data remain scarce. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the global burdens of BPH and PCa from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: We analyzed data on BPH and PCa from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database, including incidence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), mortality, and attributable risk factors. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to assess trends in age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR), and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR). We also examined correlations between the burden of these conditions and socio-demographic indices (SDI).

Results: From 1990 to 2021, the incidence of BPH and PCa increased by 115.23% and 161.66%, respectively. Over the 32-year period, PCa showed a decreasing trend in ASMR and ASDR (EAPC =-0.68 and -0.83, respectively), with no significant change in ASIR. BPH burdens were highest in Eastern Europe and Asia, while PCa burdens were concentrated in high-income North America and Australasia. The highest incidence rates for BPH were in the 65-69 age group, and for PCa in those aged 85 years and older. Smoking-related DALYs and mortality among PCa patients decreased annually across all age groups throughout the study period.

Conclusions: BPH and PCa continue to pose significant global health challenges due to their increasing absolute burden. Although the relative burden of BPH remains stable and PCa shows a declining trend, strategic resource allocation based on regional epidemiological features and geographical distributions is crucial.