Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

BackgroundInflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Crohn's Disease (CD), and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) may have extraintestinal manifestations, including disorders of the urinary tract. The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in IBD patients remains unclear. AimsAssess the prevalence of LUTS in patients with CD or UC, evaluate the variables implicated in any difference in LUTS prevalence between CD or UC, and assess any relationship between disease activity and LUTS MethodsLUTS were evaluated in 301 IBD patients through standardised questionnaires: Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS), NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). IBD activity was determined through the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Partial Mayo Score (PMS), and Total Mayo Score (TMS). ResultsBFLUTS total score for females was 6 (3–11). Patients with a higher age at diagnosis had worse filling symptoms (p = 0.049) and a worse quality of life (p = 0.005). In males, 67.1% had mild, 28.5% moderate, and 4.4% severe IPSS symptom grades. The overall NIHCPSI prevalence of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms was 26.8%. The questionnaires revealed some significant differences in the subgroups analysed. ConclusionLUTS should be evaluated in IBD patients by urologic-validated questionnaires for prompt diagnosis and early treatment.