Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Benign Prostate Enlargement in Young Korean Males

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome and benign prostate enlargement in young Korean males. We analyzed the clinical data associated with metabolic syndrome and prostate volume in the study population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data obtained from 1,506 young men under the age of 60 who visited the health promotion center in our institution for routine checkups. The patients were interviewed with a questionnaire including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and were evaluated by medical history, blood chemistry, digital rectal examination, and prostate volume via transrectal ultrasonography. The presence of metabolic syndrome was determined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evalution, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults criteria. We divided the subjects into two groups: those with metabolic syndrome and those without. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine which metabolic components were associated with an increased risk of benign prostate enlargement. RESULTS: Significant differences in prostate volume were noted between the groups. The prostate volumes were significantly larger in the metabolic syndrome group than in the non-metabolic syndrome group in all subgroups divided by age (in decades). However, no significant differences in IPSS or voiding or storage subscore were noted. In the multivariate regression analysis, only diabetes and obesity were identified as risk factors for benign prostate enlargement among the metabolic components. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome and prostate volume were significantly related, even in young males. Diabetes and obesity were identified as significant risk factors for benign prostate enlargement in young males under the age of 60.