To estimate the prevalence of a wide range of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in US women, and to explore associations with bother and discussion with healthcare providers, friends, and family.
We analyzed baseline data collected from 5/2022-12/2023 in the RISE FOR HEALTH study-a large, regionally-representative cohort study of adult female community members. LUTS and related bother were measured by the 10-item Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index and discussion was assessed by a study-specific item.
Of the 3000 eligible participants, 73% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 71-74%) reported any storage symptoms, 52% (95% CI = 50-53) any voiding or emptying symptoms, and 11% (95% CI = 10-13%) any pain with bladder filling, for an overall LUTS prevalence of 79% (95% CI = 78-81%). This prevalence estimate included 43% (95% CI = 41-45%) of participants with mild-to-moderate symptoms and 37% (95% CI = 35-38%) with moderate-to-severe symptoms. Over one-third of participants reported LUTS-related bother (38%, 95% CI = 36-39%) and discussion (38%, 95% CI = 36-40%), whereas only 7.1% (95% CI = 6.2-8.1%) reported treatment. Urgency and incontinence (including urgency and stress incontinence) were associated with the greatest likelihood of bother and/or discussion (adjusted prevalence ratios = 1.3-2.3), even at mild-to-moderate levels. They were also the most commonly treated LUTS.
LUTS, particularly storage LUTS such as urgency and incontinence, were common and bothersome in the RISE study population, yet often untreated. Given this large burden, both prevention and treatment-related interventions are warranted to reduce the high prevalence and bother of LUTS.
The Journal of urology. 2024 May 04 [Epub ahead of print]
Siobhan Sutcliffe, Chloe Falke, Cynthia S Fok, James W Griffith, Bernard L Harlow, Kimberly A Kenton, Cora E Lewis, Lisa Kane Low, Jerry L Lowder, Emily S Lukacz, Alayne D Markland, Gerald McGwin, Melanie R Meister, Elizabeth R Mueller, Diane K Newman, Ratna Pakpahan, Leslie M Rickey, Todd Rockwood, Melissa A Simon, Abigail R Smith, Kyle D Rudser, Ariana L Smith
Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri., Division of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota., Department of Urology and the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota., Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois., Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts., Section of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois., Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama., School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan., Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California., Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama., Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Urology, Loyola University Medical Center, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois., Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania., Department of Urology and the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut., Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota., Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois., Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.