Relationship of Growth Differentiation Factor-15, E-Cadherin, Galectin-3, and Psychological Stress with Quality of Life and Prostate Size in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective: Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The relationship of psychological stress, oxidative stress, and inflammation with prostate enlargement is unclear. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), E-cadherin, galectin-3 and psychological stress with quality of life (QOL) and prostate size in BPH patients. Methods: Eighty-two BPH cases were included in the study. Growth differentiation fac tor-15, galectin-3, and E-cadherin were analyzed in all the subjects. Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) was used to analyse psychological stress. Quality of life score due to urinary symptoms was based on a single question recommended by the International Consensus Committee, and its answer range from delighted (score-0) to terrible (score-6) Results: E-cadherin (P = .014), galectin-3 (P = .004), QOL score (P = .024) and PSS-10 score (P = .001) were higher in BPH cases with increased prostate size. Growth differentia tion factor-15 was lower in BPH patients with higher PSS-10 score (P = .036) and higher QOL score (P = .016). Growth differentiation factor-15 was negatively associated with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) score (r = −0.314, P = .004), QOL (r = −0.284, P = .009), and PSS-10 score (r = −0.031, P = .001). Prostate size was positively associ ated with E-cadherin (r = 0.317, P = .003), galectin-3 (r = 0.243, P = .026), IPSS (r = 0.301, P = .005) and QOL score (r = 0.237, P = .030). Also, a significant correlation was observed between E-cadherin and galectin-3 (r = 0.292, P = .007). Growth differentiation factor-15 (P = .018) and E-cadherin (P = .029) were found to predict QOL and E-cadherin (P = .013) was found to predict prostate size in BPH. Conclusion: E-cadherin can predict prostate enlargement and along with GDF-15, can predict QOL in BPH. Cite this article as: Balamurali P, Nandeesha H, Sreenivasan SK. Relationship of growth differentiation factor-15, E-cadherin, galectin-3, and psychological stress with quality of life and prostate size in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urol Res Pract. 2025;51(5):173-178.