Korean J Gastroenterol.  2009 Jun;53(6):348-354. 10.4166/kjg.2009.53.6.348.

Association of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adult Men : An Internet-based Survey

• Im JP
• Kim BG
• Kim JW
• Lee KL
• Son H
• Kim JS
• Jung HC
• Song IS

• KMID: 1792751
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2009.53.6.348

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to experience certain urinary symptoms. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and IBS, and to determine their impact on the quality of life.
METHODS
E-mails were sent to 23,594 men who were registered at an internet survey company. Subjects were requested to fill out the questionnaires regarding IBS and LUTS assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
RESULTS
Among 601 subjects (mean age, 35.5+/-8.4) included in the final analysis, 118 (19.6%) fulfilled the Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS. The total mean IPSS of IBS subjects was 9.6, which was significantly higher than the 7.0 of non-IBS subjects (p<0.01). When IPSS was subcategorized into mild, moderate, and severe symptom categories, the proportions with the moderate and severe symptoms among IBS subjects were 33.9% and 13.6% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of non-IBS subjects; (26.9 and 5.2%) (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, statistically significant association was found between IBS and moderate to severe LUTS (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.27-2.88). IBS subjects also showed a poorer quality of life score than non-IBS subjects (2.24 vs. 1.65, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
LUTS in adult men with IBS are more severe and have a more negative impact on the quality of life than in non-IBS subjects.

Keyword

Irritable bowel syndrome; Lower urinary tract symptom; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Humans
Internet
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/complications/*diagnosis
Male
Male Urogenital Diseases/complications/*diagnosis
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Questionnaires

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in subjects with or without IBS. The proportions of IBS subjects in the ‘moderate’ and ‘severe’ LUTS categories were 33.9% and 13.6%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of non-IBS subjects. ∗ p＜0.01 vs. Non-IBS. IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.

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