The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in population aged 40 years or over, in South Korea

• Published in: Investigative and clinical urology Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 166 - 176
• Main Authors: Yoo, Tag Keun, Lee, Kyu-Sung, Sumarsono, Budiwan, Kim, Sung-Tae, Kim, Hyun-Jung, Lee, Hyun-Cheol, Kim, Sun-Hwa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Urological Association 01.05.2018; Korean Urological Association; 대한비뇨의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Comorbidity; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Female; Health Surveys; Heart Diseases - epidemiology; Humans; Hyperlipidemias - epidemiology; Hypertension - epidemiology; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology; Nocturia - epidemiology; Original; overactive; Prevalence; Republic of Korea; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Severity of Illness Index; Urinary bladder; Urinary Bladder, Overactive - epidemiology; Urinary Incontinence, Stress - epidemiology; Urodynamics; 비뇨기과학; Republic of Korea; Prevalence; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Urinary bladder, overactive; Republic of Korea
• ISSN: 2466-0493; 2466-054X
• DOI: 10.4111/icu.2018.59.3.166

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can be distressing and socially isolating, and the economic impact can be substantial. Further data to characterize the epidemiology and effects of LUTS in South Korea would be beneficial. In an international, internet-based survey, the prevalence and impact of LUTS was evaluated in adults aged ≥40 years. Questions related to International Continence Society (ICS) symptom definitions and the bother associated with each symptom. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) were assessed. Of the 2,080 participants from South Korea, 1,090 (52.4%) were women and 740 (35.6%) were aged ≥60 years. The prevalence of LUTS according to ICS criteria was 68.2% (men, 70.6%; women, 66.0%). LUTS prevalence increased significantly with age (p=0.01 in men and women). Storage symptoms only were reported in 16.2% of men and 30.5% of women, making this the most common ICS symptom group overall. Individual symptoms with the highest prevalence in the overall population were nocturia, frequency, and weak stream (36%, 30%, and 29%, respectively). IPSS results showed that 40.1% of participants had at least moderate symptoms. The prevalence of OABSS-defined overactive bladder was 19.7% (men, 19.5%; women, 19.9%). Fourteen percent of individuals with any LUTS visited healthcare professionals regarding urinary symptoms. LUTS affect the majority of adults aged ≥40 years in South Korea. The low percentage of individuals with LUTS consulting healthcare professionals regarding urinary symptoms indicates a need to improve rates of diagnosis and treatment.