Bariatric Surgery May Improve Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Obesity

Takeaway

• Bariatric surgery demonstrated a significant improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with obesity.
• Additionally, a reduction in body mass index (BMI) and mean total body weight (TBW) was observed.

Why this matters

• Findings warrant future studies to investigate the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of LUTS in male patients with obesity and their improvement following weight loss surgery.

Study design

• UK researchers performed a meta-analysis of 7 studies including 334 male patients who underwent bariatric surgery.
• Primary outcome: LUTS before and after bariatric surgery assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
• Secondary outcomes: changes in BMI and mean TBW.
• Funding: None disclosed.

Key results

• IPSS score varied from 3-12.7 pre-operatively and 1.9-6.9 post-operatively.
• Bariatric surgery was associated with a significant improvement in the IPSS score (mean difference [MD], 2.82; 95% CI, 0.96-4.69; I², 89%; P=.003).
• Bariatric surgery was associated with a significant reduction in BMI (MD, 9.41; 95% CI, 7.67-11.15; I², 58%; P<.00001) and mean TBW (MD, 28.33; 95% CI, 21.10-35.57; I², 54%; P<.00001).

Limitations

• Heterogeneity among studies.
• Results may have limited generalisability.

This clinical summary originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.