Journal of Men's Health (Sep 2024)
“Before you go”—considering genitourinary symptoms as a sentinel indicator of the presence of, or risk for, chronic disorders in men
Abstract
Men have a significantly shorter life expectancy compared to women, with disparities further magnified among those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a large proportion of the health disparity between men and women. Up to 40% of the chronic disease burden in men could be mitigated through risk factor management or early intervention. This disparity is often attributed to the engagement with primary and preventive healthcare by men which is influenced by health literacy, accessibility of care and socio-economic status. The manuscript proposes that genitourinary symptoms, specifically erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), are sentinel indicators of chronic diseases or their risk factors in men. LUTS and ED share risk factors with major chronic disorders like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, and are associated with depression and obstructive sleep apnea. Both ED and LUTS are meaningful to men and can motivate seeking care, providing healthcare providers an opportunity for preventative measures and early treatment. Such an approach also ameliorates the LUTS and ED symptoms and substantially improves quality of life. We advocate for a targeted approach that uses ED and nocturia as entry points for engaging men in healthcare. This involves public health education to raise awareness about the significance of these symptoms and encouraging healthcare providers to actively inquire about them during consultations. By addressing these symptoms, healthcare practitioners can better identify and treat underlying chronic conditions early, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality among men and helping to narrow the sex related health outcome disparities between genders.
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