Research paperSocioeconomic profile of elderly Polish men treated for benign prostate hyperplasia: Results of the population-based PolSenior study

BackgroundThe socioeconomic status and the prevalence of therapy in men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in Poland are relevant for public health, but have not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with BPH pharmacotherapy and utilization of urological services in the elderly Polish population.Patients and methodsThe analysis used questionnaire data concerning pharmacotherapy for BPH, and utilization of urological services obtained from 2567 elderly male participants in the population-based PolSenior study.ResultsWe found that 645 men (25.1%) received treatment for BPH involving α1-adrenergic antagonists (ARAs) (64.7% of treated), 5α-reductase inhibitors (10.1%), or both drugs simultaneously (21.9%). Only 11 respondents (1.7%) used muscarinic receptor antagonists (MRAs). Over-the-counter drugs were used in addition to other drugs (3.9%) or as the only medication for BPH (3.4%). BPH therapy was supervised by a urologist in 80.9% of men. Men receiving pharmacotherapy for BPH were more likely to be better educated, have had white-collar jobs in the past, live in cities, be nonsmokers, and have higher current personal income. Moreover, they were more likely to utilize urological services. Dependence in activities of daily living was not significantly associated with prevalence of BPH pharmacotherapy or utilization of urological services.ConclusionsMajor socioeconomic correlates of BPH pharmacotherapy in the Polish elderly include income, type of work in the past and lifestyle, and the identified associations could reflect socioeconomic risk factors for not being treated for BPH. ARAs are the most commonly used drugs, while MRAs are underutilized in BPH pharmacotherapy in the surveyed population.