International Neurourology Journal (Jun 2014)

Nocturia is the Lower Urinary Tract Symptom With Greatest Impact on Quality of Life of Men From a Community Setting

  • Eduardo de Paula Miranda,
  • Cristiano Mendes Gomes,
  • Fábio César Miranda Torricelli,
  • José de Bessa,
  • José Everton de Castro,
  • Bruno Roberto da Silva Ferreira,
  • Ariel Gustavo Scafuri,
  • Homero Bruschini,
  • Miguel Srougi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2014.18.2.86
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 2
pp. 86 – 90

Abstract

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PurposeLower urinary tract symptoms are numerous, but the specific impact of each of these symptoms on the quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated in community-dwelling men. An assessment of these symptoms and their effects on QoL was the focus of this study.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study with 373 men aged >50 years from a community setting. Patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire, which includes questions on each of the specific urinary symptoms and a question addressing health-related QoL that are graded from 0 to 5. We used the Pearson correlation test to assess the impact of each symptom on QoL.ResultsNocturia (58.9%) was the most prevalent urinary symptom. The mean score was 0.9±1.4 for incomplete emptying, 1.0±1.5 for frequency, 0.9±1.3 for intermittency, 0.8±1.3 for urgency, 1.0±1.5 for weak stream, 0.5±1.0 for straining, and 2.0±1.6 for nocturia. Nocturia and frequency were the only symptoms associated with poorer QoL, with nocturia showing a stronger association.ConclusionsNocturia affects 50% of community dwelling men aged >50 years, and is the lower urinary tract symptom with the greatest negative impact on QoL.

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