Painkiller drugs can help prevent enlarged prostate, says study
Posted on : 2006-08-30 | Author : Jack Myers
News Category : Health
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/8451.html#

NEW YORK: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or
ibuprofen can delay or even prevent the condition called benign
prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate gland, according to new
research at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota.

The study, released Wednesday, said the risk of developing the
condition, which can lead to problems in urination, fell in patients
taking such drugs.

The finding is significant as the condition is found to afflict one in
four males aged 40 to 50 and almost half at 70 to 80.

The study suggests that men's urinary health may be improved by taking
NSAIDs, said Michael Lieber, an urologist at Mayo Clinic and study
investigator. The scientists found that the risk of developing an
enlarged prostate was 50 per cent lower in people who use NSAID
compared to non-users and the risk of developing moderate to severe
urinary symptoms was 35 per cent lower.

The researchers feel the NSAIDs could be directly decreasing the growth
of the cells of the prostate by killing them or they may be decreasing
inflammation throughout the urinary tract, which would result in a
reduction of symptoms.

Prostate gland is just as large as a walnut when healthy. When
enlarged, it can be as big as a peach and press the urethra, which
carries urine for excretion.

The lead investigator of the study and Mayo Clinic epidemiologist Jenny
St. Sauver, however, said she would not recommend that every man go out
and take aspirin, but if they are already taking it regularly for other
reasons, the findings suggest there is another benefit as well.

The scientists felt there is need for further research to determine the
best doses of NSAIDs.

The scientists had gathered data on 2,447 men in Minnesota, who
completed questionnaires every two years from 1990 to 2002. One-third
of the men studied were taking painkillers daily when they were
enrolled in the study.

NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve pain in arthritis and cure
inflammation and stiffness at joints. It is also given to patients with
heart conditions, victims of stroke and people with cancer.

There are prescription drugs for prostate enlargement, like Boehringer
Ingelheim's Flomax and Merck's Proscar. Patients who do not respond to
the medicines are advised surgery, which involves scraping the core of
the gland to reduce pressure on the urethra.

Details of the study are being published in the American Journal of
Epidemiology.