Prospective evaluation of the association between varicocele and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men over 40 years of age

Abstract

We investigated the association between varicocele and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men over the age of 40years. A total of 296 outpatients were evaluated. Prostate volume was measured with transrectal ultrasound. Varicocele was diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasound. Prostatic hyperplasia was defined as prostate volume greater than or equal to 40ml. Two groups were compared: patients with prostate volume less than 40ml and patients with prostate volume greater than or equal to 40ml. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age, post-void residual, International Prostate Symptom Score and PSA. The percentage of patients with clinical varicocele in the group with a volume less than 40ml and the group with a volume equal to or greater than 40ml was 38.2% and 47.7% respectively (p=.12). There were no differences between the two groups in the percentage of patients with clinical or subclinical varicocele (43.2% vs. 52.2%, respectively, p=.12). No differences were found in the percentage of patients with varicocele when comparing men with prostates smaller than 40ml and greater than or equal to 40ml.