Relevance and variability of the severity of incontinence, and increased daytime and night‐time voiding frequency, associated with quality of life in men with lower urinary tract symptoms

Abstract

To estimate the distribution of the severity of urinary incontinence (UI) and daytime and night-time voiding in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); to estimate the proportion of 'subjectively relevant' symptoms within each severity category; to identify differences in quality of life (QoL) by degree of subjectively relevant daytime and night-time symptoms; and to identify differences in QoL in men with subjectively relevant UI or no UI. Data from a group of 480 men awaiting urological assessment for LUTS suggestive of BPH were collected by questionnaire shortly after referral from their general practitioner in 1997-2000. The International Continence Society--Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Index, Sandvik's Incontinence Severity Index, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Survey--Abbreviated Version (WHOQoL-bref) were used to assess symptoms and QoL. There was a large heterogeneity of self-reported symptom severity and related bother in the three symptoms of UI, increased daytime voiding frequency and night-time voiding in these referred patients. The WHOQoL-bref showed significant group differences of subjectively relevant symptoms. The perception of increased night and daytime frequency, as measured by symptom severity and bother, varied greatly. The severity of UI and its effect on men waiting for a urological assessment of LUTS suggestive of BPH also varied widely. In general, the symptoms and their impact were slight to moderate. The WHOQoL-bref could be used to differentiate among groups of subjectively relevant symptoms, and in so doing supported information generated by the bother question.