Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in people aged 50 or older consulting general practitioners

Abstract

The incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in people consulting general practitioners (GPs) was investigated. We used a questionnaire including seven questions regarding LUTS and one question regarding bothersomeness based on the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS), three questions on the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and four questions on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short‐Form (ICIQ‐SF), and conducted the survey among 1120 people aged 50 or older who consulted 17 GP clinics. Of 958 persons (86%) who responded the questionnaires, we analyzed the data from 822 (73%) who completed all the above questions. There were 364 men (mean age, 67 years) and 458 women (mean age, 68 years). Moderate or severe grades in I‐PSS and OABSS were indicated in 99 (27%) and 43 (12%), for men, respectively, and 55 (12%) and 39 (9%) for women, respectively. I‐PSS correlated with age in men and OABSS did in both genders. Most people with moderate or severe I‐PSS experienced moderate or severe bothersomeness. Fifty‐five (15%) men and 185 (40%) women indicated that they had some type of urinary incontinence. There were 138 (38%) men and 165 (36%) women showing both moderate or severe I‐PSS, and moderate or severe bothersomeness, and/or with an ICIQ‐SF score of 1 or greater. Approximately one‐third of men and women aged 50 or older consulting GPs have bothersome LUTS, including urinary incontinence. We believe that they should be carefully assessed to determine whether they need treatment.