Lose the belly for less LUTS – recent study

The take home message from this study is simple – lose the gut. Big bellies contribute to multiple diseases’ including cancer  and biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after treatment. This new study demonstrates that the bigger the waist the higher the likely hood of sexual, prostate and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).

Details of the study:

• A total of 409 men 40 years and older were studied with moderate or severe Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). None were previously treated for these symptoms.

• Participants were divided into 3 groups according to their waist size (WC) ( <36 inches, 36 – 39 inches and 39+ inches)

• WC was significantly and positively associated with prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and IPSS.

• Higher WCs were also significantly associated with a greater prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, as well as the presence of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction. (Lee et al. 2012)

Dr. Steven Kaplan is one of the authors of this scientific paper. In a personal email Dr. Kaplan says, “We have to think of a large waist as more than a risk factor for cardiovascular problems, it’s a sign of quality of life issues such as sexual and voiding problems.”

Dr. Kaplan is Professor of Urology Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

Reference:

Lee RK, Chung D, Chughtai B, Te AE, Kaplan SA. Central obesity as measured by waist circumference is predictive of severity of lower urinary tract symptoms. BJU Int. 2012 Aug;110(4):540-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10819