Serum Insulin, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Testosterone and Lipid Profile Levels in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer at Diagnosis

Background and objectives: Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men aged 65 years and older globally. The association of prostate cancer with deranged lipid profile and insulin levels is inconsistent and not well understood. This study aimed to analyze the serum levels of lipids, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and testosterone and to identify their association with the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer and its grading.

Materials and methods: This case-control study includes 150 individuals. Cases were 50 newly diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 50 histologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma patients. Fifty age-matched disease-free controls were included. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and summarized as mean ± standard deviation. ANOVA was used to determine statistically significant differences between two or more categorical groups. Chi-square was used to determine the association between variables of interest.

Results: Data showed that serum insulin and IGF-1 were significantly elevated in prostate cancer and BPH, the highest being in the prostate cancer group, and had a significant positive association with prostate cancer Gleason score and grade. However, lipid profile had non-significant association with prostate cancer Gleason score and grade.

Conclusion: This study confirms the association of insulin and IGF-1 with BPH and prostate cancer Gleason score and grade.