Metabolic syndrome linked to urinary problems, study suggests

Patients with metabolic syndrome could have a greater risk of lower urinary tract symptoms, a new study finds.
Metabolic syndrome is characterised by three or more metabolic risk factors. These include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose levels.
Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes.
This study, published in the journal BJU International, also associates metabolic syndrome with lower urinary tract symptoms, which include increased urinary frequency, bladder leakage, increased levels of urination at night, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.
The researchers analysed the data of 4,666 men, all of whom were aged between 55 and 100, who visited their doctor at some point over a 12-day period in 2009.
They found that 51.5 per cent of the men had metabolic syndromen, and 47 per cent were treated for lower urinary tract symptoms.
The researchers found that the men with metabolic syndrome were more likely to display lower urinary tract symptoms. Moreover, the symptoms were more severe among the men with metabolic syndrome.
The authors of the study claim that their research suggests a “significant link between metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms. In addition, they explained, “The prevention of such modifiable factors by the promotion of dietary changes and regular physical activity practice may be of great interest for public health.”