Association Between High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Healthy Korean Populations

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and lower urinary tract symptoms in healthy middle-aged men.Materials and MethodsA total of 4256 ostensibly healthy native Korean men between the ages of 40 and 65 years who voluntarily underwent medical checkup were enrolled. The participants' demographics were collected, including International Prostate Symptom Score, hs-CRP, various metabolic risk factors, and prostate volume (PV). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP and lower urinary tract symptoms after adjustment for age, PV, metabolic syndrome, and body mass index (BMI).ResultsData obtained from 3539 men were analyzed. The mean age was 51.75 ± 7.01 years, and the mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 0.137 ± 0.256 mg/L. Correlation analysis after adjustment for age, PV, and BMI revealed that CRP only correlated with storage symptoms (coefficient = 0.044, P value = .007) and not voiding symptoms. Multivariate analysis using the full model revealed that age and CRP were positively correlated with storage symptoms (P <.001 and .008, respectively). Multivariate analysis using a stepwise model revealed that age, CRP, and triglycerides were positively correlated with storage symptoms (P <.001, .007, and .022, respectively) and BMI was negatively correlated with storage symptoms (P = .023).ConclusionIn healthy men, hs-CRP was independently correlated with storage symptoms after adjustment for age, BMI, PV, and metabolic risk factors. Subclinical inflammation might play a role in the pathophysiology of storage symptoms.