The Experience of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Is There Any Correlation between Them?

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), especially in older men, may result from COVID-19, and that LUTS may be high in the early stages of the illness. The primary goal of the present review is to ascertain the true impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the development of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by analyzing the body of available literature. Materials and methods: By May 2023, a comprehensive and categorized search of the literature was conducted utilizing the following global databases: the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Scopus. To assess their eligibility, all English-language records were included, including peer-reviewed online publications and published works. Additional sources were identified using the retrieved material's citations. There were no limitations on the sample size. Results: SARS-CoV-2 penetrates cells by attaching itself to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of the prostate. This combination may cause direct harm to the prostate and accelerate the development of BPH. The pathophysiology of BPH involves androgen receptors, and the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 may be androgen-mediated. This may cause the symptoms of BPH to worsen and progress. Pro-inflammatory pathways can be triggered and cytokine release increased by SARS-CoV-2 infection. This inflammation can exacerbate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and cause the prostate gland to become inflamed. Benign prostatic hyperplasia may occur because of metabolic disturbances brought on by the coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), such as newly diagnosed diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Conclusion: To illustrate the impact of COVID-19 on the onset of these symptoms and quantify the changes in them, it is desirable to identify the factors that contribute to the worsening of BPH-related LUTS after COVID-19 recovery.