Elsevier

Urology

Volume 73, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 544-548
Urology

Prostatic Diseases and Male Voiding Dysfunction
Are Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Influenced by Metabolic Syndrome?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2008.10.027Get rights and content

Objectives

To determine the role of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in the genesis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in both sexes. The MS and LUTS are highly prevalent disorders, both increasing with increasing age.

Methods

Participants in a health-screening project underwent a detailed health examination, including all factors associated with the MS, and were assessed regarding LUTS. The MS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation consensus definition of 2005, and LUTS were quantified using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Results

A total of 2371 men (mean age 46.1 years) and 731 women (mean age 53.9 years) were analyzed. In the men, moderate-to-severe LUTS (IPSS >7) were present in 13.1%; in the women, the corresponding value was 23.5%. The proportion of the MS diagnosed during the health investigation was 33.8% in the men and 30.2% in the women. On multiple linear regression analysis, the MS was not associated with the IPSS, IPSS obstructive or irritative subscore, or LUTS. The proportion of LUTS and mean IPSS did not significantly differ regarding the presence or absence of the MS in either sex.

Conclusions

According to our results, the MS did not turn out to be significantly and independently involved in the genesis of LUTS in men or women.

Section snippets

Study Cohort

During a 6-month period, all men aged 30-69 years and all women aged 40-69 years participating in a voluntary health examination in the area of Vienna were assessed regarding the prevalence of the MS and LUTS. The Department of Preventive Health of the City of Vienna regularly performs these examinations at 7 locations where citizens can undergo a health evaluation free of charge once annually. In addition, employees of large companies are invited to participate. The institutional review board

Principal Patient Characteristics

A cohort of 2371 men aged 30-69 years and 731 women aged 40-69 years was analyzed. The age distribution for the men was as follows: 30-39 years, n = 734 (31%); 40-49 years, n = 783 (33%); 50-59 years, n = 579 (24.4%); 60-69 years, n = 275 (11.6%). The age distribution for the women was as follows: 40-49 years, n = 256 (35%); 50-59 years, n = 250 (34.2%); and 60-69 years, n = 225 (30.8%). The descriptive data of age, IPSS, body mass index, and all numeric vascular risk factors in men and woman

Comment

The MS is a highly prevalent disorder of growing importance in Western societies and a well-established risk factor for atherosclerosis, including coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and peripheral arterial disease.4 The role of the MS as a risk factor for urologic disorders is less well defined. Our group has previously reported on the affect of the MS on erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.8, 9 In men, an increased waist-to-hip ratio and the presence of the MS were

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the MS is not associated with LUTS. Because these data were generated in a large cohort with a significant proportion of men and women with the MS and LUTS, we believe this conclusion is fairly robust.

References (15)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (46)

  • Metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic enlargement: A possible link to storage symptoms

    2014, Urology
    Citation Excerpt :

    The presence of MetS increased, by about 80% (OR, 1.78; CI, 1.045-3.042; P = .03), the risk of having an IPSS subscore ≥4 in patients with LUTS and BPE. Most of the evidence available in the literature evaluating the association between LUTS and MetS are derived from epidemiologic studies from Asian or American populations.10,12,15,18 Analysis of the BACH survey18 showed a trend in increasing MetS prevalence with increasing American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) scores.

  • Risk factors for male lower urinary tract symptoms: The role of metabolic syndrome and androgenetic alopecia in a Latin American population

    2013, Urology
    Citation Excerpt :

    This observation underscores the possibility of a BPH-independent association between MetS and LUTS, likely related to arterial insufficiency and ischemia of the bladder.6,26 A number of studies, in particular in Asian populations, did not find an association between male LUTS and the MetS.7-11 Differences between these results and ours could stem from several factors.

  • Metabolic syndrome associated with reduced lower urinary tract symptoms in middle-aged men receiving health checkup

    2012, Urology
    Citation Excerpt :

    Finally, the higher PV and PSA groups had increased total and individual IPSS item scores than the lower PV and PSA groups, which may magnify the beneficial effect of MS on LUTS. According to the findings of the present study, the association between BPH, LUTS, and MS components in men may be confounded by many factors, including age, PV, smoking, alcohol consumption, lifestyle, and others.4,8,9,19 To further clarify these relationships, all possible confounders should be adjusted for in subsequent studies.

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text