Lower urinary tract symptoms, obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The epidemic of obesity and concomitant metabolic syndrome is well documented. New evidence points to a connection between the components of metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).


RESULTS
Multiple studies have demonstrated a strong independent association between the components of metabolic syndrome and BPH/LUTS. Furthermore, modifiable risk factors, such as increased physical activity, appear to decrease the risk of BPH/LUTS.


CONCLUSIONS
Emerging data points to a strong relationship between metabolic syndrome and BPH/LUTS, indicating a common cause. Further exploration of this relationship may result in a new understanding of the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of these disorders.
Moul
Samdeep
S
Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3008, USA.
McVary
Kevin T
KT
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology*; D053448:Prostatism / Q000209:etiology*