Elevated red blood cell distribution width in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with metabolic syndrome

Red blood distribution width (RDW) is a novel prognostic marker that reflects oxidative stress and inflammation in patients. Chronic inflammation has been proposed as a candidate mechanism between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the relationship between RDW and MetS in BPH patients is unclear. Men aged 50 year-old or older with BPH were recruited into the study. The BPH patients were classified as MetS group and non-MetS group. 69 patients without BPH and MetS were as the control group. The clinical information and RDW were measured to identify their relationship. MetS was diagnosed in 34% of the patients. The RDW values were found to be higher in the BPH group than in the control group [(13.3 ± 0.8) vs. (12.6 ± 0.8), P < 0.001]. The total prostate volume (TPV) and post void residual (PVR) urine volume were significantly higher in subject with MetS than in non-MetS and related with the number of metabolic abnormalities. High serum triglyceride and low serum high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly associated with TPV even adjusting for age (adjusted r = 0.373, P < 0.001, and adjusted r = -0.425, P < 0.001, respectively).There was a significant correlation between RDW and TPV (r = 0.370, P < 0.001), Body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.367, P < 0.001) and MetS (r = 0.276, P < 0.001). The data indicated that RDW was independently correlated with the presence of MetS (odd ratio 1.226, 95% confidence intervals 0.89-1.87, P < 0.001). MetS is associated with BPH development in men. The RDW level is significantly higher in patients with BPH than that in control. RDW is an independent predictor of MetS in BPH patients.