Association of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adult Men - An Internet-based Survey

Abstract

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to experience certain urinary symptoms. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and IBS, and to determine their impact on the quality of life. E-mails were sent to 23,594 men who were registered at an internet survey company. Subjects were requested to fill out the questionnaires regarding IBS and LUTS assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Among 601 subjects (mean age, 35.5+/-8.4) included in the final analysis, 118 (19.6%) fulfilled the Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS. The total mean IPSS of IBS subjects was 9.6, which was significantly higher than the 7.0 of non-IBS subjects (p<0.01). When IPSS was subcategorized into mild, moderate, and severe symptom categories, the proportions with the moderate and severe symptoms among IBS subjects were 33.9% and 13.6% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of non-IBS subjects; (26.9 and 5.2%) (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, statistically significant association was found between IBS and moderate to severe LUTS (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.27-2.88). IBS subjects also showed a poorer quality of life score than non-IBS subjects (2.24 vs. 1.65, p< 0.001). LUTS in adult men with IBS are more severe and have a more negative impact on the quality of life than in non-IBS subjects.