Int Neurourol J.  2014 Jun;18(2):86-90.

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

• Miranda ED
• Gomes CM
• Torricelli FCM
• Bessa JD
• Castro JE
• Ferreira B
• Scafuri AG
• Bruschini
• Srougi M

Abstract

PURPOSE
Lower 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.
METHODS
We 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.
RESULTS
Nocturia (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.
CONCLUSIONS
Nocturia affects 50% of community dwelling men aged >50 years, and is the lower urinary tract symptom with the greatest negative impact on QoL.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Nocturia; Prostatic hyperplasia; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Epidemiology
Humans
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Male
Nocturia*
Prostate
Prostatic Hyperplasia
Quality of Life*
Rivers
Urinary Tract*