The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the USA, the UK and Sweden: results from the Epidemiology of LUTS (EpiLUTS) study

Abstract

respondents selected a link to an informed consent page, followed by the survey. Participants were asked to rate how often they experienced individual LUTS during the previous 4 weeks, on a five-point Likert scale, and, if experienced, how much the symptom bothered them. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and present the data. RESULTSResponses rates for the USA, the UK and Sweden were 59.6%, 60.6% and 52.3%, respectively, with a final sample of 30 000 (USA 20 000; UK 7500; Sweden 2500). The mean age (range) of the participants was 56.6 (40-99) years; the mean percentages for race were 82.9% white, 6.7% black, 6.0% Hispanic and 4.4% Asian/other. The prevalence of LUTS was defined by two symptom frequency thresholds, i.e. at least 'sometimes' and at least 'often' for all LUTS except incontinence, where frequency thresholds were at least 'a few times per month' and at least 'a few times per week' .The prevalence of at least one LUTS at least 'sometimes' was 72.3% for men and 76.3% for women, and 47.9% and 52.5% for at least 'often' for men and women, respectively. For most LUTS, at least half of the participants were bothered 'somewhat' or more using a frequency threshold of at least 'sometimes' . For a threshold of at least 'often', 'somewhat' or more bother was reported by ≥ 70% of participants except for terminal dribble in men and split stream in women. CONCLUSIONIn this large population study of three countries, LUTS are highly prevalent among men and women aged > 40 years. In general, LUTS experienced 'often' or more are bothersome to most people.

Population-based survey of the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in adolescents with and without psychotropic substance abuse

“…We used a similar methodology to other major adult studies to measure each LUTS individually and define its presence by a frequency threshold of '≥20% of the time' . 2,[17][18][19] We agree with others that using a scoring system to define LUTS in a prevalence study may not reflect the true impact of individual LUTS as it is possible that a highly prevalent symptom may happen alone and the summed score may not reach the threshold. 17 In our adolescents without any substance abuse, 18.5% experienced at least one LUTS.…”

“…We agree with others that nocturia once per night is very common in the general population and using the threshold of nocturia ≥2 times per night as LUTS is more appropriate. 2,[17][18][19] Only 2.9% of our control subjects had urgency suggestive of overactive bladder (OAB) according to ICCS definitions, 6 in contrast to 12% of Korean children aged 13 years. 20 Children with OAB may have urinary frequency in addition to urgency.…”

“…2,17 Recently a few paediatric studies using the ICCS definitions have reported LUTS prevalence in children varying from 9.3% to 46.4%. [7][8][9] The wide variation in prevalence can be attributed to the differences in the study population, questions used to assess LUTS, and the criteria to define the presence of symptoms.…”

“…Daytime UI and nocturia were defined as present if the study subject had ≥1 to 3 times per month and ≥2 times per night, respectively. 2,17 Responses to questions on psychotropic substance use were dichotomised as either "yes" or "no". Those with positive responses were directed to questions on the type of substance being abused, which included ketamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cough mixture, marijuana, and others.…”

Surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

“…S produljenjem ži-votnog vijeka sve je veća učestalost simptoma donjeg urinarnog trakta, čime se narušava kvaliteta života. EpiLUTS studija pokazala je kako su simptomi donjeg urinarnog trakta visokoprevalentni kod muškaraca (i žena) koji su stariji od 40 godina 3 .…”