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The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Brazil: Results from the epidemiology of LUTS (Brazil LUTS) study
Author(s) -
Soler Roberto,
Gomes Cristiano Mendes,
Averbeck Marcio Augusto,
Koyama Mitti
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.23446
Subject(s) - medicine , lower urinary tract symptoms , overactive bladder , international prostate symptom score , epidemiology , quality of life (healthcare) , population , nocturia , gynecology , urinary system , prostate , alternative medicine , nursing , environmental health , pathology , cancer
Aims We performed the first large population‐based study to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Brazil. The study objective was to assess the prevalence and bother of LUTS in the population aged ≥40 years in five major cities of Brazil. Methods This study was conducted as a telephone survey with assessment of LUTS using a standardized protocol, which included the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and, for overactive bladder (OAB), the OAB‐V8 questionnaire. Participants were asked to rate how often they experienced individual LUTS and the degree of associated bother. Results Of the 5184 participants, 53% were women, and the age group with most participants (34%) was 50‐59 years. The prevalence of LUTS (symptoms occurring less than half the time or more) was 75%: 69% in men and 82% in women. There was a statistically significant association between the frequency and bother intensity of each symptom ( P < 0.001). The prevalence of OAB was similar in men and women (25% and 24%, respectively). According to the IPSS questionnaire, moderate‐to‐severe symptoms were present in 21% of men and 24% of women. LUTS detrimentally affected quality of life in many individuals: 39% would be “mostly dissatisfied,” “unhappy,” or consider it “terrible” to spend the rest of their life with their urinary condition as it is currently. Conclusions This was the first nationwide, population‐based epidemiological study of LUTS to be performed in Brazil. LUTS are highly prevalent and often bothersome among men and women aged ≥40 years.