Prevalence and correlations of lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction and incontinence in men from a multiethnic Asian population: results of a regional population-based survey and comparison with industrialized nations

Premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction: the need for a bladder function history

INTRODUCTION

Despite the high prevalence of both female sexual problems and bladder dysfunction in the premenopausal population, sexual history forms used in primary care offices rarely include questions about the impact of bladder dysfunction on sexual health.

AIM

To provide a review of the literature that illustrates the relationship between bladder problems and sexual performance of premenopausal women.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

To objectively support by a review of the literature the need for a complete bladder history in when evaluating premenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction.

METHODS

Pubmed was searched for all articles (from November 1980 to June 2007) that reported on the effect bladder dysfunction has on premenopausal female sexual function.

RESULTS

The scant literature available strongly suggested that bladder dysfunction is a contributor to sexual dysfunction and that this medical concern should be considered in all women, regardless of age who present with sexual complaints.

CONCLUSION

Further studies need to be conducted in order to solidify a direct causal relationship between bladder dysfunction and premenopausal female sexuality. These studies should include a larger sample size, clearly defined types of sexual dysfunction and bladder dysfunction, and appropriate follow-up of patient responses using validated objective and subjective outcome modalities to confirm that the patient responses are factual.

Nocturia, nocturia indices and variables from frequency-volume charts are significantly different in Asian and Caucasian men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a prospective comparison study

OBJECTIVE

To describe and compare the patterns of nocturia in Asian and Caucasian men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and to identify associations or correlations between LUTS and variables from a frequency-volume chart (FVC), as nocturia is common among men with LUTS, and analysis of FVCs shows nocturnal polyuria and reduced nocturnal bladder capacity (NBC) as the predominant causes in Western patients, but there are few comparisons with other ethnic groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive men aged > or = 40 years, presenting with LUTS and nocturia to an Asian and a Caucasian tertiary centre, were recruited prospectively. The men completed the International Prostate Symptom Score and a 3-day FVC. Men having had bladder outlet surgery and/or receiving anticholinergics were excluded. We computed the nocturia ratio, i.e. the nocturnal urine volume/ 24-h urine volume, nocturia index, predicted nocturnal voids and NBC index (NBCI), and analysed comparisons and correlations.

RESULTS

In all, 93 Asian and 200 Caucasian men were recruited prospectively, with a similar age and overall severity of LUTS. The nocturia ratio was larger in the Caucasian men, whereas the NBCI was larger in the Asians (P < 0.001). The prevalence of nocturnal polyuria in men aged > or =60 years (nocturia ratio > or =0.3) was significantly higher in the Caucasian population. Conversely, the prevalence of reduced NBC appeared to be higher in the Asians (based on a NBCI of >2; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The patterns of nocturia and FVC variables differed significantly in age-matched Asian and Caucasian groups. There are also possible ethnic differences in the causes of nocturia, with nocturnal polyuria being more prevalent in Caucasians.