Healthcare-seeking with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms among men in the Danish population: the impact of lifestyle and socioeconomic status

Sandra Elnegaard,Ann Rubach,Dorte Ejg Jarbøl,Maria Munch Storsveen,Kirubakaran Balasubramaniam

doi:10.1080/02813432.2019.1608412

Sandra Elnegaard, Ann Rubach + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2019.1608412

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Abstract

Objective: (1) To identify possible factors of importance for reporting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men and (2) to examine possible associations between socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors, and likelihood of men contacting a general pracitioner (GP) regarding LUTS reported to be of concern or influencing daily activities (bothersome LUTS).Design: Nationwide population-based, cross-sectional survey. Data was collected in 2012.Setting: The general Danish population.Subjects: A total of 48,910 randomly selected men aged 20+.Main Outcome Measures: (1) Odds ratios for reporting LUTS by lifestyle and SES, and (2) Odds ratios for GP contact with bothersome LUTS by lifestyle and SES.Results: 23,240 men participated (49.8%). Nocturia was the most commonly experienced LUTS (49.8%). Incontinence was most often reported as bothersome (64.1%) and nocturia less often reported as bothersome (34.2%). Only about one third of the men reporting a bothersome LUTS contacted their GP. Odds for reporting LUTS significantly increased with increasing age, obesity, and lack of labor market affiliation. Increasing age and symptom burden significantly increased the odds for GP contact regarding bothersome LUTS. No overall associations were found between lifestyle, SES, and GP contact.Conclusion: Bothersome LUTS are common among Danish men. Concern and influence of LUTS on daily activities are important determinants of GP contact, yet only one in three bothersome LUTS are discussed with a GP. Advanced age and symptom burden were significantly associated with GP contact.Implications: Information on treatment options for LUTS might be desirable among Danish men regardless of SES and lifestyle.Key pointsUrological symptoms are common among men in the Danish population and are often managed without contacting healthcare professionals.Increasing age and symptom burden significantly increase the likelihood of consulting a general practitioner regarding bothersome urological symptomsHealthcare-seeking behavior with bothersome urological symptoms is not influenced by lifestyle or socioeconomic status among Danish men;Information about available, effective treatment options for urological symptoms might be desirable among men regardless of socioeconomic status and lifestyle

Highlights

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are reported commonly among men worldwide and the prevalence increases with age [1]
Of the 48,910 randomly selected Danish men invited to the survey, 46,647 men were found eligible for the study and 23,240 participated, resulting in a response rate of 49.8% (Figure 1)
general pracitioner (GP) contact regarding bothersome urological symptoms was more common for men reporting frequent

Summary

Introduction

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are reported commonly among men worldwide and the prevalence increases with age [1]. LUTS include various urological symptoms and can be divided into three different subgroups; storage, voiding, and post micturition symptoms [2]. The prevalence of LUTS varies considerably in different studies, with estimates ranging from 39–90% [1,3,4], primarily due to differences in study design and definitions of LUTS. Several conditions can cause LUTS, including bladder overactivity, weakness of the detrusor muscle, Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern ß 2019 The Author(s).

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