A new study has found that men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
The study, published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, suggests a small but significant link between BPH and mental health problems, supported by genetic data.
Researchers from Central South University in China used data from the U.K. Biobank to study the connection between BPH and mental health. They analyzed information from more than 229,000 people.
The data included both cross-sectional and long-term observations, as well as genetic analysis to explore whether BPH could actually cause mental health problems.
At the beginning of the study, men with BPH were found to have a 42% higher chance of having depression and a 44% higher chance of having anxiety compared to those without BPH.
In the follow-up studies, which tracked participants over seven years and nearly fifteen years, BPH was still linked to a higher risk of developing these mental health conditions. For example, over a period of nearly 15 years, the risk of depression rose by 38% and the risk of anxiety by 45% among men with BPH.
The research team also found that certain groups of men faced an even greater mental health risk. Younger men under 60, those with high incomes, those who were employed, and those with lower physical activity levels were more likely to develop depression or anxiety if they had BPH.
To dig deeper into whether BPH might cause mental health problems or if the relationship was just a coincidence, the researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization.
This approach looks at genetic markers to help understand cause-and-effect relationships. The results showed a very small but likely real effect of BPH causing depression, though not anxiety. Interestingly, anxiety may slightly reduce the risk of developing BPH.
The authors caution that the causal link between BPH and depression is very weak and should be interpreted carefully. However, the results do highlight the real psychological impact BPH can have on men’s lives.
The study’s findings suggest that doctors should pay more attention to the mental health of men who have BPH. The condition is often treated as a physical problem, but this study shows it can also take a toll on emotional well-being.
Screening for depression and anxiety, and offering appropriate mental health support, could improve overall care for men dealing with this common condition.
In conclusion, while BPH may seem like just a physical issue related to aging, it can also be linked to emotional distress. Understanding this connection can help healthcare providers give more complete and compassionate care to their patients.
If you care about health, please read studies that scientists find a core feature of depression and this metal in the brain strongly linked to depression.
For more health information, please see recent studies about drug for mental health that may harm the brain, and results showing this therapy more effective than ketamine in treating severe depression.
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