Loneliness, functional disability and lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia in aging men: Insights from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that social isolation and loneliness are linked to functional disability in older adults. With the intensification of global aging, functional disability and lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) have become common public health issues affecting elderly men. MethodsThis study utilized data from the CHARLS database. The functional status of participants was evaluated through activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate variables associated with LUTS/BPH. ResultsUnivariate logistic regression revealed associations between loneliness (OR: 1.26; 95 % CI: 1.08–1.46) (excluding social isolation), ADL (OR: 2.17; 95 % CI: 1.86–2.52), IADL disability (OR: 1.37; 95 % CI: 1.16–1.60), and LUTS/BPH. Following rigorous adjustment for potential confounding factors, it was determined that ADL disability independently correlated with LUTS/BPH (OR: 1.92; 95 % CI: 1.17–3.17). ConclusionADL disability is significantly linked to an elevated risk of LUTS/BPH in Chinese elderly men. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between functional status and LUTS/BPH.