Association between components of metabolic syndrome and prostatic enlargement: An Indian perspective

To find association between prostate gland volume to components of the metabolic syndrome.

Cross-sectional, observational study in a tertiary care hospital of the Armed Forces of India. A total of 115 male patients aged 50-65 years attending the Urology OPD between Jan 2014 and July 2015 with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were included. Men with known malignant disease including carcinoma prostate, those on medical management for BPH and individuals with previous history of surgery related to urinary bladder/prostate were excluded. Blood Pressure (BP), weight in kgs, height, waist and hip circumference to nearest cm were recorded. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist/Hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Fresh serum was analysed for lipid profile and glycaemic levels. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) - 2005 guideline for metabolic syndrome was used for the diagnosis. The total prostate volume and the severity of LUTS as per AUA Symptom index were considered as the primary and secondary outcome measure respectively. Statistical software SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Mean prostate volume was compared with the components of MetS. An alpha level of 5% was considered significant.

The study showed positive association between prostate volume with metabolic syndrome and its four components - raised blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and triglycerides and HDL ≤ 40 mg/dl. No correlation was found with waist circumference.

Our study indicates that metabolic syndrome and its individual components may predispose patients to a higher risk of prostatic enlargement/LUTS.