Effects of metabolic syndrome on the prevalence of prostate cancer: historical cohort study using the national health insurance service database

Purpose To estimate the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the prevalence of prostate cancer using a large retrospective cohort with a 5-year follow-up duration. Methods National Health Insurance Service health checkup cohort was used for the study. In total, 130,342 men included in the health checkup cohort in 2009 were divided into two groups according to the presence of prostate cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer from 2009 to 2013 was cumulatively calculated from 2003. A generalized estimating equation was used to assess the effect of MetS and its component on the prevalence of prostate cancer after adjusting for other variables. Results Prostate cancer was present in 2369 men (1.8%) in 2009. The prevalence of prostate cancer was significantly higher in patients with MetS than in those without MetS throughout the entire follow-up duration. Multivariable analysis showed that in addition to year at evaluation and age, the presence of MetS was associated with an increased prevalence of prostate cancer. Alcohol consumption and smoking levels were negatively associated with the prevalence of prostate cancer. Among MetS components, decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterolemia and central obesity were associated with an increased prevalence of prostate cancer after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion MetS and its components, especially decreased HDL-cholesterol levels and central obesity, were related to the increased prevalence of prostate cancer. Preventing MetS, maintaining high HDL-cholesterol level, and maintaining low waist circumference might be useful ways for decreasing the prevalence of prostate cancer.