Epidemiological data indicate that lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/BPH can be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Chronic inflammation has been proposed as a candidate mechanism at the crossroad between these two clinical entities. Aim of study is to examine the correlation among pre-operatory LUTS/BPH severity, MetS features and inflammatory infiltrates in prostatectomy specimens. A total of 271 consecutive men treated with simple prostatectomy were retrospectively selected for this study in two tertiary referral centers for LUTS/BPH. Prostate diameters and volume were measured by transrectal ultrasound, LUTS scored by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and obstruction by uroflowmetry. The International Diabetes Federation and American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute was used to define MetS. The inflammatory infiltrate was investigated combining anatomic location, grade and extent of flogosis into the overall inflammatory score (IS); the glandular disruption (GD) was used as a further marker. Eighty-six (31.7%) men were affected by MetS. Prostatic volume and anterior-posterior (AP) diameter were positively associated to the number of MetS components. Among MetS determinants, only dyslipidaemia (increased serum triglycerides and reduced serum high-density lipoprotein) was associated with an increased risk of having a prostatic volume >60 cm³ (hazard ratio (HR)=3.268, P<0.001). A significant positive correlation between the presence of MetS and the IS was observed. MetS patients presented lower uroflowmetric parameters as compared with those without MetS (Maximum flow rate (Q_max): 8.6 vs 10.1, P=0.008 and average flow rate (Q_ave): 4.6 vs 5.3, P=0.033, respectively), and higher obstructive urinary symptoms score (P=0.064). A positive correlation among both IS–GD and IPSS Score was also observed (adjusted r=0.172, P=0.008 and adjusted r=0.128, P=0.050). MetS is associated with prostate volume, prostatic AP diameter and intraprostatic IS. The significantly positive association between MetS and prostatic AP diameter could support the observation that MetS patients presented lower uroflowmetric parameters. In conclusion, MetS can be regarded as a new determinant of prostate inflammation and BPH progression.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirabegron 50 mg and 100 mg in the treatment of storage lower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder in comparison with a placebo and tolterodine 4 mg. A total of 491 articles were collected and eight randomized studies were identified as eligible for this meta‐analysis. Overall, eight trials were included in the meta‐analysis evaluating 10 248 patients. Mirabegron at both doses of 50 mg and 100 mg, and and tolterodine 4 mg were significantly associated with the reduction of incontinence episodes per 24 h, reduction of mean number of micturitions per 24 h, increase of voided volume and reduction of urgency episodes per 24 h, compared to a placebo. Both mirabegron 50 mg and mirabegron 100 mg were associated with a significant reduction of nocturia episodes when compared with a placebo. Conversely, tolterodine 4 mg did not prove to be more effective than a placebo in the reduction of nocturia episodes. Furthermore, mirabegron 50 mg showed a slightly, but significantly, better efficacy than tolterodine 4 mg in the improvement of nocturia episodes. Mirabegron 50 mg and mirabegron 100 mg shared the same risk of overall treatment‐emergent adverse events rate with the placebo. Otherwise, tolterodine 4 mg was associated with a significantly greater risk than the placebo. However, mirabegron 100 mg showed a slight trend toward an increased risk of hypertension (odds ratio1.41;P= 0.08) and cardiac arrhythmia (odds ratio2.18;P= 0.06). Mirabegron is an effective treatment for patients with storagelower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder, providing a reduction of incontinence, urgency and frequency; an improvement of voided volume with a slight, but statistically, significant improvement of nocturia; with a good safety profile. These findings should be considered for the treatment planning of patients with storagelower urinary tract symptoms/overactive bladder.