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.

Reliability and validity of the King’s Health Questionnaire for lower urinary tract symptoms in both genders

“…For the IPSS, scoring ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 35 (maximal symptoms). LUTS severity was classified into three categories: mild (0-7), moderate (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and severe (20-35) and for the QoL index, the range is 0 (delighted) to 6 (terrible) [16]. The storage subscore was defined as the sum of scores for questions 2, 4 and 7 on the IPSS and the voiding subscore was the sum of scores for questions 1, 3, 5 and 6.…”

“…A similar self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among men and women aged ≥ 50 years consulting GPs for various chronic medical problems. The original survey conducted between July and August 2005 was also approved by Institutional Review Board and 958 people participated after informed consent was obtained [12]. Finally, the data from 330 men and 418 women who completed all questions were available for analysis.…”

Lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life of people consulting general practitioners

“…We believe that urologists should know of such an association, when educating GPs as to the LUTS practice. Here, we demonstrate the relationship between LUTS and health‐related (HR)‐QOL among 330 men (mean age: 67 ± 9) and 418 women (68 ± 9), using the Japanese versions of the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS), the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) 1,2 …”

Diagnosis and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in the elderly by general practitioners

“…Several researchers also reported that the incidence of LUTS increases with aging 1–5 . According to our previous questionnaire survey, approximately one‐third of men and women aged 50 years or older who consulted general practitioners (GPs) for medical problems had some LUTS and it was thought that they required evaluation by a GP 6 …”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] According to our previous questionnaire survey, approximately onethird of men and women aged 50 years or older who consulted general practitioners (GPs) for medical problems had some LUTS and it was thought that they required evaluation by a GP. 6 To improve the clinical practice for LUTS by GPs, we developed a manual for use in Japan. 7 However, Hammond et al indicated that the education strategy using pamphlets and face-to-face staff consultations had no measurable impact.…”