Profile of lower urinary tract symptoms in the male and their impact on quality of life

• Published in: Actas urologicas españolas Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 401 - 407
• Main Authors: Cambronero, J, Arlandis, S, Errando, C, Mora, A M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Aged; Anthropometry; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Life Style; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - etiology; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - psychology; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatients - psychology; Prevalence; Prostatic Hyperplasia - complications; Prostatic Hyperplasia - epidemiology; Quality of Life; Self Report; Severity of Illness Index; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Male; Síntomas del tracto urinario inferior; Varón; Calidad de vida; Urología; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Urology; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1699-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acuro.2012.11.011

Following current European Guidelines, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are produced by several causes and, thus, thorough clinical assessment should be undertaken for a correct therapeutic management. This study was conducted in order to assess the symptoms profile and their impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of male patients attending urology outpatient clinics. Epidemiological, cross-sectional study including adult male patients (n=826) presenting with at least one de novo previously untreated LUTS. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected. Patients completed IPSS, Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and SF-12 questionnaires. Mean age (SD) was 65 (10) years. A combination of storage, voiding and post-micturition symptoms were present in 69% of subjects and 30% showed >2 urgency episodes and >6 micturitions daily (storage symptoms -SS- sub-population). Storage symptoms were the reason for consultation in 86%. Mean peak urinary flow (Q(max)) was 11.4 mL/s, in 44% of patients,prostate volume was 20-40 mL and 91% showed moderate or severe symptoms on IPSS with an overall mean (SD) score of 17 (7). SS sub-population had higher B-SAQ scores (6,9 vs 4,8 for symptoms; 7,8 vs 5,1 for bother), and worse HRQL (IPSS item 8). These findings support the importance of addressing treatment adequately according to patient profile, bothersomeness and impact on HRQL.