Correlation between Metabolic Syndrome and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms of Males and Females in the Aspect of Gender-Specific Medicine: A Single Institutional Study

Abstract

PurposeWe attempted to examine the correlation between metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the aspect of gender-specific medicine.Materials and MethodsA total of 922 patients participating in a health examination completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABq-SF) symptom bother scale from March 2008 to July 2009. Metabolic syndrome was defined by using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria announced in 2001. We analyzed differences in lower urinary tract symptoms according to the presence of metabolic syndrome and the component elements of metabolic syndrome.ResultsThe subjects were 538 males and 384 females with a mean age of 48.8±6.8 years. Among all patients, the number of patients with metabolic syndrome was 143 (15.5%); there were 110 males (20.4%) and 33 females (8.6%), showing a significant difference. There were no differences in scores on the IPSS or OABq-SF with respect to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in males. In females, however, there were significant differences in the IPSS and OABq-SF depending on the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. In males and females, the IPSS total score was significantly correlated with age. Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in males and triglyceride in females was significantly correlated with the IPSS total score.ConclusionsThere are sex differences in the morbidity rate of metabolic syndrome and its effect on lower urinary tract symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to consider gender-specific medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of LUTS.

Relationship between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Men

“…Data from 900 men in Japan, with a mean age of 56.7 years in the non-MetS group and 56.4 years in the MetS group who underwent digital rectal examinations of the prostate and who completed the IPSS, did not show a clear association between LUTS and MetS. Data from 538 men in South Korea with a mean age of 48.8 years did not show differences in scores on the IPSS or on an overactive bladder questionnaire short form 4. In another Korean study of 348 men assessing IPSS and transrectal ultrasonography, no significant differences were found in the mean IPSS score (11.1 in MetS vs. 12.3 in non-MetS) or prostate volume (20.7 ml in MetS vs. 19.4 in non-MetS) 6.…”

“…Gao et al3 collected data from 3,103 men, but the median age for their study population was in the 30s. Additionally, other studies from South Korea and Japan have enrolled fewer than 600 men (>50 years old) 4-6. Second, most of these studies have used only self-reporting of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire in evaluating LUTS/BPH 3-5.…”

Is there a link between overactive bladder and the metabolic syndrome in women? A systematic review of observational studies

“…Fifteen studies made a specific reference to OAB . The others categorised urinary symptoms in a variety of ways including LUTS, UUI, SUI and MUI.…”

Metabolic Syndrome and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Evidence of a Potential Relationship, Hypothesized Etiology, and Prevention

“…Meigs et al examined the data of 1,019 men who participated in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study and observed that obesity and blood pressure were not significantly related to subsequent clinical BPH development within a mean follow-up of 8.8 years [34]. Similarly, Hong et al observed no significant difference in the IPSS between men with and those without MetS (mean: 5.03 vs 5.40; p=0.3) [35]. …”