Depressive symptoms and lifestyle factors as risk factors of lower urinary tract symptoms in Southern Chinese men: a prospective study

Abstract

Background. Few prospective studies have been conducted to identify risk factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Our objective is to evaluate the dietary, lifestyle and medical risk factors of LUTS.Methods. Data were collected from a large prospective cohort of elderly Chinese men in Hong Kong. Eight hundred seventy-one subjects provided response to a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and physical examination at baseline and at 4-year follow-up. LUTS and depressive symptoms were assessed using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Geriatric Depressive Symptom Scale (GDS).Results. The GDS score was independently associated with increased risk of having moderate to severe LUTS (odd ratios (OR) = 2.08; confidence interval (CI) = 1.28–3.40; Wald chi-square test = 9.52 and p = 0.023). A history of coronary heart disease was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe LUTS (OR = 1.65, CI: 1.05–2.59; Wald chi-square test = 4.74 and p = 0.029). Alcohol consumption of seven drinks or more per week was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe LUTS (OR = 2.51; CI: 1.32–4.79; Wald chi-square test = 8.01 and p = 0.018).Limitations. We have studied LUTS but not surgical BPH.Conclusions. The results showed that medical and lifestyle factors may increase the risk of LUTS in Chinese elderly men.