The association between vascular risk factors and lower urinary tract symptoms in both sexes.

Objectives: To test the potential role of atherosclerosis in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we investigated the association between vascular risk factors and LUTS in both sexes.

Methods: Men and women participating in a health screening project completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). In parallel all individuals underwent a detailed health investigation with assessment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and nicotine use.

Results: A total of 1724 men (52.3+/-9.1yr, mean+/-standard deviation; IPSS: 6.3+/-4.3) and 812 women (56.0+/-9.9 yr; IPSS: 5.2+/-4.9) entered the study. A total of 62.5% (n=1077) of men had no vascular risk factor, 32.1% (n=554) one, and 5.4% (n=93) two or more; the corresponding figures for women were 64.7% (n=525), 30.7% (n=249), and 4.7% (n=38). In men, the IPSS was identical in those with no (6.2+/-4.1) and one (6.2+/-4.4) vascular risk factor yet increased to 7.7+/-5.5 (+24.2%) in those with two or more risk factors (p=0.01). In women, the IPSS increased from 4.8+/-4.6 in those with no vascular risk factor to 5.7+/-5.3 (+18.7%) with one and 7.0+/-5.7 (+45.8%) with two or more factors (p=0.05).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that vascular risk factors play a role in the development of LUTS in both sexes. This observation opens new aspects in our understanding of the pathogenesis of LUTS and warrants future studies.