Association between metabolic syndrome and BPH/LUTS among community-dwelling men in Northern China: a population-based study

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent urological conditions affecting middle-aged and older men. Growing evidence suggests a potential link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the development of BPH/LUTS, however existing studies have predominantly focused on outpatient populations. Limited data are available regarding this association in community-dwelling men, particularly in northern China. This study aims to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and its individual components and the association of BPH/LUTS in a community-based male cohort in Shanxi Province. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among men aged 45–80 years in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. Eligible participants were required to have a clinical diagnosis of BPH, while those with prostate cancer, prior prostate surgery, prostatitis, or neurological disorders affecting urination were excluded. Data on MetS and its components were collected through standardized clinical assessments. Associations between MetS, its individual components, and BPH/LUTS parameters were evaluated using multivariate analyses. Among 982 participants, 33.8% met criteria for MetS. A significant association was observed between MetS and greater symptom severity and worse urodynamic parameters. Among the individual components, diabetes mellitus and hypertension demonstrated strong associations with increased PV and reduced Qmax, Additionally, diabetes was positively correlated with higher IPSS scores. In contrast, obesity and dyslipidemia exhibited comparatively weaker associations with BPH/LUTS parameters. MetS, particularly diabetes mellitus and hypertension, was significantly associated with the severity of BPH/LUTS among middle-aged and older community-dwelling men in Shanxi Province. These findings underscore the relevance of metabolic health management in the prevention and treatment of BPH/LUTS and contribute region-specific data to the existing body of evidence.