To investigate the association between severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a large male population in China.

Data were collected from 3103 men attending the Fangchenggang Area Male Healthy and Examination Survey (FAMHES) from September 2009 to December 2009. LUTS were assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and MetS were defined using a modification of the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Blood samples were drawn to determine serum lipids and glucose levels. Comprehensive information on demographic characteristics and medication was also collected through questionnaires. The association between LUTS and MetS was presented as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals estimated using a logistic regression model.

The presence of MetS was not associated with the severity of LUTS (multivariate OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.67-1.39), but its subcategories of moderate or severe storage symptoms were inversely related to MetS (multivariate OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44-0.91). Aging was observed to be a major risk factor for LUTS, such that men 60 years or older experienced 2-fold the odds of moderate or severe LUTS (OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.82-4.29) when compared with men 40 years or less). Component of MetS, such as systolic blood pressure, has increased odds for moderate or severe postmicturition symptoms but with no statistically significant results in multivariate analysis (multivariate OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.93-1. 60).

Our data suggest that the MetS is not associated with LUTS. However, for subcategory symptoms, decreased odds of MetS was observed in moderate or severe voiding storage symptoms.