UPDATE - Issue 22 - Summer 2005
BPH Research among Bangladeshis
Gillian Bentley is carrying out research, funded by the Prostate Research Campaign UK, into the prevalence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) amongst Bangladeshi men. The study aims to compare five groups of men - Bangladeshis who arrived here as adults, those who came as children, those born here of Bangladeshi parents, men still living in Sylhet, Bangladesh and lastly, white, UK born men.
Gillian reports that, while some of the groups are still in the recruitment phase, some interesting results have emerged. Compared to published values of lower urinary tract symptoms among UK men, values do appear to be higher among Bangladeshi immigrants.
About 10% of UK men over 50 report severe symptoms of BPH whilst among Bangladeshi men it is over 40%. The incidence of moderate to severe symptoms appears to occur at an earlier age as well (under the age of 40).
It remains to be seen whether these preliminary results are upheld in comparison with the reference group of white men from whom Gillian is collecting data. They should be better matched for residential neighbourhood and socio-economic status.