title: Effects of obesity on prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in korean men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effects of obesity on prostate volume (PV) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 2007 to 2009, a total of 10,383 ostensibly healthy Korean men aged >/=50 years visited our health promotion center for a routine check-up. Among them, 872 men who wanted a prostate evaluation were enrolled in this study. All men underwent detailed clinical evaluations with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences, were determined. A blood sample was obtained for serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement. Thereafter, a digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 465 men with moderate to severe LUTS (IPSS>/=8 points) were included in this prospective study. The participants' mean age was 57.2 years. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only waist circumference was a significant factor in predicting PV besides age and serum PSA. The univariate analysis showed no statistically significant relations between any of the obesity-related parameters and LUTS. The PV was also not correlated with LUTS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Central obesity is the more important predictor of PV than overall obesity. There are no significant relations between obesity-related parameters and LUTS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Geun Woo
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Doo
authors.forename: Won Jae
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yun Seob
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Song