Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a cohort of Australian servicewomen and female veterans

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in the general female population. It was hypothesised that Australian female military personnel and veterans would experience similar types and prevalence of LUTS as the broader Australian female population. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was utilised to explore the pelvic health of active servicewomen and veterans in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). For the purposes of this report, only the demographic and LUTS data (excluding urinary tract infections) were extracted and descriptively analysed. Results A total of 491 complete survey responses were received and analysed. Respondent characteristics were comparable to those documented in a departmental report regarding ADF servicewomen. No LUTS were reported by 38% of respondents. Regular symptoms of urinary incontinence were experienced by 27% of respondents (stress urinary incontinence = 23%, urge urinary incontinence = 16%, mixed urinary incontinence = 13%), bladder storage issues by 20–27%, and various voiding impairments by 9–27%. In addition, 41% reported regularly experiencing two or more LUTS, and for over two thirds of respondents, LUTS were an ongoing issue. Relationships between age, parity, and symptoms of urinary incontinence were also seen. Conclusions Consistent with wider research in Australian female populations, LUTS were commonly experienced during service by ADF female military personnel and veterans. Given the high likelihood of female military personnel experiencing LUTS during their service, and a proportion experiencing ongoing symptoms, tailored monitoring and support for urinary health should be available to enhance occupational health, safety, and performance.

Genitourinary infections in Australian servicewomen

“…1 Regular back/hip pain were common symptoms for female servicewomen during active-duty service. 15 It is unclear whether pain is a risk factor for genitourinary infection or whether it is a resultant symptom. Due to the broad scope of the pelvic health survey, the nature of these relationships cannot be determined, but warrant further investigation.…”

“…However, it is important to acknowledge the potential impact of cross-sectional survey design, use of selfreported symptom data, and recall bias on the findings. 15 The pelvic health survey was also broad and not focused specifically on genitourinary symptoms; therefore, limiting the ability to provide specific prevalence data related to single and recurrent episodes of genitourinary infection, more precise risk factor analysis, and greater exploration of VVI. The length and breadth of the survey may have further contributed to nonresponse bias, given data from a substantial number of incomplete surveys needed to be excluded.…”

“…In addition, regular antibiotic use may also be related to treatment for recurrent genitourinary infections 1 . Regular back/hip pain were common symptoms for female servicewomen during active‐duty service 15 . It is unclear whether pain is a risk factor for genitourinary infection or whether it is a resultant symptom.…”

“…The current study provides useful insights into the prevalence, possible risk factors, and approaches to management of genitourinary infections in a cohort of Australian servicewomen. However, it is important to acknowledge the potential impact of cross‐sectional survey design, use of self‐reported symptom data, and recall bias on the findings 15 . The pelvic health survey was also broad and not focused specifically on genitourinary symptoms; therefore, limiting the ability to provide specific prevalence data related to single and recurrent episodes of genitourinary infection, more precise risk factor analysis, and greater exploration of VVI.…”

Conditions Diagnosed on Bladder Biopsy in Adult Female Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) Refractory to Medical Treatment

“…Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are one of the most common clinical manifestations in men, their frequency increases with age and are often associated with prostate enlargement. Prostate, which grows macroscopically with aging, leads to bladder outlet obstruction over time 1 . The clinical symptoms occurring in this picture are called LUTS.…”