Significance of obesity markers and adipocytokines in high grade and high stage prostate cancer in North Indian men – A cross-sectional study

•BMI and WHR were significantly higher in CaP patients in comparison to BPH.•High leptin and II-6 but low adiponectin were seen in Cap patients.•High WHR correlated with high-grade and high-stage Cap.•High leptin and IL-6 correlated with high stage and high grade CaP.•Low adiponectin level correlated with high stage and high grade CaP. Prostate cancer (CaP) in India is the 10th most common malignancy affecting men. CaP incidence in India is low, but rising like other countries. The reasons for this racial disparity are uncertain. The foremost reasons that may underlie regional/ethnic differences are genetic polymorphisms, altered hormonal status, socioeconomic status, and obesity. This study aimed at investigating the role of adipocytokines in stimulating the promotion and progression of CaP. A cross-sectional study on histopathologically proven prostate cancer (N=95) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (N=95) patients was undertaken. CaP patients were classified into high-grade (N=62) and low-grade (N=33), and high stage (N=31) and low stage (N=64) groups. The level of body mass index (BMI), waste to hip ratio (WHR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, and adiponectin were compared between BPH and CaP groups and between grades and stages of prostate cancer. The level of BMI was significantly (p