Has anyone come across this theory before?
Derek.
Sandfeldt L, Hahn RG.

Department of Urology, Huddinge University Hospital, and Karolinska
Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Lars.Sandfeldt@cfss.ki.se

OBJECTIVE: To study whether the risk profile for cardiovascular disease
correlates with prostate size in elderly men seeking medical attention for
lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), by assessing physiological, biochemical
and personality traits. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two men (mean age 68
years, range 52-85) with bladder outlet obstruction, as verified by
urodynamic testing, had their prostate size measured by transrectal
ultrasonography. Their blood and urine was also examined, and their
personality and heart rate variability tested. The measured variables were
assessed statistically in relation to whether the prostate volume was
smaller (22 men) or larger (30 men) than 50 mL. RESULTS: Patients with a
large prostate (mean 104 mL) had a higher mean arterial pressure (105 vs 95
mmHg, P < 0.01), and serum glucose (5.3 vs 4.8 mmol/L, P < 0.01) and serum
cortisol (423 vs 362 nmol/L, P = 0.06) concentrations than those with a
small gland (mean 31 mL). The personality test showed that they were also
less assertive than the others (P < 0.03). The components of the heart rate
variability indicated that men with a large prostate had increased
sympathetic activity. CONCLUSION: Men with LUTS caused by a very large
prostate have more risk factors for cardiovascular disease than those with a
smaller gland.