Prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Male Aborigines and Non-aborigines in Eastern Taiwan

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Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in men. The relationship of LUTS with socioeconomic level has not been investigated in Asian people. This study investigated the prevalence of LUTS in men and between aborigines and non-aborigines in eastern Taiwan, and their association with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics. A survey of LUTS in adult male community residents of Hualien district was conducted in 2006. LUTS were assessed using questionnaires for the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life Index (QoL-I). The prevalence of each bothersome LUTS, moderate LUTS (IPSS>8) and impaired QoL (QoL-I>4) were compared between aborigines and non-aborigines. The association between the prevalence of LUTS and socioeconomic status was also compared between the two groups. There were 196 aborigines (32%) and 419 non-aborigines (68%) who completed the questionnaires. Nocturia was the most common LUTS in aboriginal and non-aboriginal men. The prevalence of moderate LUTS increased with age (p<0.001) in men overall. Significantly higher prevalence rates of frequency (11.7% vs. 7.2%, p=0.044) and nocturia (31.1% vs. 19.8%, p=0.002) were found in aborigines than non-aborigines. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of moderate LUTS (12.8% vs. 8.8%, p=0.220) or impaired QoL (24.3% vs. 19.9%, p=0.088) between aborigines and non-aborigines. The higher prevalence of frequency and nocturia in aborigines was associated with significantly lower educational and economic levels, which were also associated with a higher prevalence of alcohol drinking, betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking. Nocturia was the most common LUTS in community dwelling aboriginal and non-aboriginal adult males. A low socioeconomic level was associated with a higher prevalence rate of moderate LUTS and impaired QoL, especially in aborigines.