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© the authors; licensee ecancermedicalscience. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background

The association between body mass index (BMI) and prostate cancer (Pca) remains a controversial subject. Despite Pca being common in Tanzania, there is a scarcity of data on the role of BMI on Pca risk. This study aimed to assess the association between Pca and BMI among African men in Tanzania.

Methods

This analysis included Tanzanian men aged ≥40 years who underwent prostate biopsy for the elevated prostate-specific antigen of >4 ng/mL during community-based Pca screening. Gleason scores of all Pca cases were determined by an experienced pathologist. BMI was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metre square. Participants were categorised into four BMI categories as follows: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). A high Gleason score refers to any score of ≥4+3. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odd ratio of each BMI category for the risk of Pca and high Gleason score.

Results

A total of 572 men underwent prostate biopsy after being found to have an elevated prostate-specific antigen of >4 ng/mL during screening. Of these, normal BMI accounted for 233 (40.7%), while overweight and obesity accounted for 153 (26.7%) and 141 (24.7%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, overweight men had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with Pca (OR 6.95, 95% CI; 3.43–14.06) as compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The strength of the association became stronger among obese participants (OR 23.65, 95%CI; 11.45–48.87). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the odds of being diagnosed with high Gleason score Pca among obese men (OR 3.63, 95%CI; 1.52–8.70).

Conclusion

Tanzanian men with elevated prostate-specific antigen and a high BMI have a significant risk of being diagnosed with Pca, mostly with a high Gleason score. Normal BMI maintenance might help in reducing the risk of developing Pca.

Details

Title
High body mass index increases the risk for prostate cancer and high Gleason score in northern Tanzania: data from prostate cancer screening
Author
Ngowi Bartholomeo Nicholaus 1 ; Mremi Alex 2 ; Seif Mshangama 3 ; Bright, Frank 3 ; Godrule, Lyimo 4 ; Uggh Innocent 4 ; Paschal, Mitao Modesta 4 ; Obadia, Nyongole 5 ; Jasper, Mbwambo Orgeness 3 ; Gill Harcharan 6 ; Mramba, Nyindo 7 ; Mteta, Kien Alfred 8 ; Mmbaga Blandina Theophil 9 

 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania, Department of Urology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 2236, Moshi, Tanzania 
 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania, Department of Pathology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania 
 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania, Department of Urology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania 
 Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 2236, Moshi, Tanzania 
 Department of Surgery, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 64001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 
 Department of Urology and Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA 
 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania 
 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania, Department of Urology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania, Deceased 
 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, PO Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, PO Box 2236, Moshi, Tanzania 
University/institution
U.S. National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
Cancer Intelligence
e-ISSN
17546605
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3225666096
Copyright
© the authors; licensee ecancermedicalscience. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.