A MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF PROSTATIC VOLUME IN ASYMPTOMATIC MEN IN VARIOUS CONTINENTS

Objective: To compare prostatic volumes in asymptomatic Asian men with similar controls in Europe. Patients and methods: Six centres (Beijin g; Hong Kong, Jinan, Lisbon, Palermo and Stirling) independently selec ted asymptomatic men aged 55y or more for assessment of prostatic volu me using transrectal ultrasound (total = 320 men) between 1992 and 199 3. Results: Prostatic volumes in asymptomatic men were greater in Beij ing than Hong Kong, Stirling and Palermo (P < 0.05) and were smaller i n Stirling than Beijing and Jinan (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These resul ts suggest that men from Stirling are less likely to have large prosta tes, but there is no evidence that men from any of the six cities are more likely to have small prostates. This small series may suggest tha t benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is as common in China as in Europ ean cities. The differences may be due to some cities (Beijing, Jinan and Lisbon) having a greater proportion of high values, perhaps sugges ting looser selection criteria. This may indicate an abandonment of tr aditional Asian foods with their presumptive beneficial effect in favo ur of a Western dietary style.