Heart rate variability in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) allows evaluation of autonomic nervous system activity. Decreased HRV is associated with autonomic disbalance, poor health and higher mortality. Our objective is to evaluate the HRV in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) through a case-control study. METHODS: LUTS were considered as the outcome and HRV variables were considered as exposure. The protocol included anamnesis, LUTS assessment, anthropometry, blood pressure and HRV measurement by analyzing the variation in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats or RR intervals. The mathematical study of HRV indicators allowed the assessment of the cardiac autonomic modulation of the volunteers. RESULTS: Eighty nine patients were included in the study, with 34 allocated to the case group (with LUTS) and 55 to the control group (without LUTS). The patients were similar in terms of age and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Among the HRV variables, the mean VLF index for the very low frequency of the spectrum associated with the frequency domain was significantly higher in volunteers without LUTS. Control group patients presented a mean of 113.18 ± 166.74 ms2, while patients with LUTS presented a mean of 69.21 ± 61.98 ms2 (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Men 50-59 years of age without chronic diseases and with LUTS have an unfavorable cardiac autonomic profile indicated by significantly lower levels of the VLF component of HRV compared to men without LUTS.

Evaluation of pedometer use in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a pedometer use in men aged between 50 and 59 years presenting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: A single-center, not blind clinical trial with two parallel groups and equal randomization was performed with 38 men aged 50-59 years with LUTS. All patients received guidance and encouragement to physical activity practice. Only the intervention group received a Pedometer with a goal of 10,000 steps/day. After a period of 12 weeks, the groups were compared through the following variables: number of steps/day, IPSS score, flexibility, anthropometric values and Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2max). RESULTS: The number of steps per day in the intervention group was 9753 ± 1549 compared to 6212 ± 1152 in the control group (p = 0.004). Pedometer use efficacy was a 50% risk reduction of not achieve the goal of 10,000 steps per day. Regarding IPSS score, the intervention group achieved lower scores (6.95 ± 2.85 vs. 10.16 ± 3.23, p = 0.007). Pedometer use efficacy was a 94% risk reduction of not achieve more than 30% reduction in IPSS score. In VO2max, the intervention group performed better than the control group (34.84 ± 3.25 vs. 32.58 ± 6.89; p = 0.011). There was no difference in flexibility and anthropometric values between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of pedometer in LUTS patients provided an increase in the number of steps/day, a decrease in LUTS score and an improvement in VO2max measure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial url: www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4vynk5/ . Register Number: RBR-4vynk5 .

Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in men aged 50 to 59 years: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), flexibility, physical activity level, and anthropometric variables. METHODS: A case-control study has been conducted in which LUTS was the outcome and VO2max, flexibility, physical activity level, and anthropometric variables the exposure variables. We evaluated 100 men aged between 50 and 59 years, assigning 49 to the case group and 51 to the control group. The patients underwent the following: physical activity level assessment using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; LUTS assessment using the International Prostate Symptom Score Questionnaire; anthropometric assessment measuring body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference; VO2max assessment through the Polar Fitness Test; and flexibility assessment using the Sit and Reach test. Multivariable analysis using a logistic regression model was performed for the assessment of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: In bivariable analysis, a statistically significant association was identified for LUTS with physical activity level (OR = 0.375, 95% CI = 0.167-0.841, P = .02); with VO2max (OR = 0.206, 95% CI = 0.086-0.495, P <.001); and with flexibility (OR = 0.309, 95% CI = 0.130-0.337, P = .01). However, the multivariable analysis indicated that VO2max was the only statistically significant variable associated with LUTS (OR = 0.303, 95% CI = 0.105-0.875, P = .027). CONCLUSION: In men aged between 50 and 59 years, an association between inadequate VO2max with LUTS was found.