Associação dos sintomas do trato urinário inferior com o consumo máximo de oxigênio, a flexibilidade, o nível de atividade física e a obesidade em homens com 50 a 59 anos

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent, occurring in 50% of men over 50 years old and in 90% of men over 80, and is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 50% of the cases. LUTS and BPH have more recently been associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk factors, and low physical activity level, but these associations are complex and not well understood. Physical activity, to be considered adequate, should generate improved cardiorespiratory fitness, which is assessed by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of LUTS with VO2max, flexibility, physical activity level, and anthropometric variables in men aged 50 to 59 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We conducted a case-control study in which LUTS was considered as the outcome and VO2max, flexibility, physical activity level, and anthropometric variables as the exposure variables. We evaluated 100 men aged between 50 and 59 years from the outpatient specialty clinics of the University Hospital (HU-CAS), Federal University of Juiz de Fora, assigning 49 patients to the case group (with LUTS) and 51 to the control group (without LUTS). The patients underwent the following experimental protocol: anamnesis, physical activity level assessment using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its short version, LUTS assessment using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Questionnaire, anthropometric assessment measuring body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference. For the assessment of VO2max, the Polar Fitness Test was performed, and to assess flexibility, the Sit and Reach test was used. RESULTS: In bivariate analysis a statistically significant association was identified for LUTS with physical activity level (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.84, p = 0.02); with VO2max (OR = 0.206, 95% CI = 0.086 to 0.495, p <0.001); and with flexibility (OR = 0.309, 95% CI = 0.130 to 0.337, p = 0.01). However, the multivariate model adopted indicated that, controlling for the effect of flexibility and of physical activity level, VO2max was the only statistically significant variable associated with LUTS, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.30 (95% CI = 0.105 to 0.875 , p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Men aged 50 to 59 years, with adequate VO2max, have approximately a 70% less chance of developing LUTS.