Association between High-Altitude Residence and Risk of Prostate Cancer in Misgar, Gilgit-Baltistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66984/jsmdc.v12.i01.oa.04Keywords:
Prostate Cancer, Prostate-specific antigen, Ultrasonography, Digital rectal examinationAbstract
Objective: To determine the association between high-altitude residence and the risk of prostate cancer based on prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) among residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Misgar, Gilgit Baltistan, by Sharif Institute of Urology & Renal Transplant (SIURT), Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore, from July to December 2025, following ethical approval from the institutional review board. After meeting the selection criteria, 96 male residents of high altitude, having age ≥40 years, were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique, irrespective of digital rectal examination (DRE) or ultrasound findings. The patients then underwent clinical evaluation, and blood samples were collected to measure their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Prostate size (ml) was measured using abdomino-pelvic ultrasound by a consultant radiologist in the nearest health facility, and PSAD was calculated. Based on PSA density, patients were categorized as having low, intermediate, and high risk of cancer. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.38±11.12 years. Among patients residing at high altitude for ≥10 years, a high risk of prostate cancer based on PSA density was observed in 4(4.2%) cases, whereas among those living at high altitude for <10 years, high risk was not found in any of the patients (p <0.001). Most of the smokers, hypertensives, diabetics, and those with positive family history of prostate cancer had intermediate or high risk of prostate cancer (p <0.05). However, alcohol use showed no such association (p-value=0.18).
Conclusion: Residents living at high altitude for more than 10 years had a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those residing at high altitude for less than 10 years.
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