PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms are numerous, but the specific impact of each of these symptoms on the quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated in community-dwelling men.
An assessment of these symptoms and their effects on QoL was the focus of this study.
METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with 373 men aged >50 years from a community setting. Patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire, which includes questions on each of the specific urinary symptoms and a question addressing health-related QoL that are graded from 0 to 5. We used the Pearson correlation test to assess the impact of each symptom on QoL.
RESULTS: Nocturia (58.9%) was the most prevalent urinary symptom. The mean score was 0.9±1.4 for incomplete emptying, 1.0±1.5 for frequency, 0.9±1.3 for intermittency, 0.8±1.3 for urgency, 1.0±1.5 for weak stream, 0.5±1.0 for straining, and 2.0±1.6 for nocturia. Nocturia and frequency were the only symptoms associated with poorer QoL, with nocturia showing a stronger association.
CONCLUSIONS: Nocturia affects 50% of community dwelling men aged >50 years, and is the lower urinary tract symptom with the greatest negative impact on QoL.
Written by:
Miranda ED, Gomes CM, Torricelli FC, de Bessa J Júnior, de Castro JE, Ferreira BR, Scafuri AG, Bruschini H, Srougi M. Are you the author?
Division of Urology, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Federal University of Ceara School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Reference: Int Neurourol J. 2014 Jun;18(2):86-90.
doi: 10.5213/inj.2014.18.2.86
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24987561
