Economics of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older people

Epidemiology of lower urinary tract symptoms in a cross-sectional, population-based study: The status in China

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are reported to affect over half of all adults, and they are associated with significantly impaired quality of life (QOL). We performed a population-based study to evaluate the overall prevalence and impact of LUTS including overactive bladder (OAB) in adults aged ≥40 years in China.Adults aged ≥40 years were eligible to participate in this internet-based survey, provided that they had the ability to access the internet, to use a computer and to read the local language. The survey contained questions relating to International Continence Society (ICS) symptom definitions, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). The primary study objective was to determine the prevalence of LUTS using the ICS 2002 symptom definition.Among the 4136 respondents, 2080 (50.3%) were men and 1347 (32.6%) were aged ≥60 years. LUTS prevalence according to ICS criteria was 60.3% in men and 57.7% in women. All 3 ICS symptom groups (voiding, storage, and postmicturition) were present in 22.8% of women and 24.2% of men, making this the most common combination of ICS symptom groups. The most bothersome symptoms were terminal dribble and nocturia. According to IPSS scores, 32.9% of participants had at least moderate symptoms. The prevalence of OAB was 23.9%. The presence of LUTS-particularly all 3 ICS symptom groups-was associated with reduced sexual QOL in women, reduced satisfaction with erectile function in men, higher anxiety and depression scores, and reduced health-related QOL (physical health and mental health domains). The overall percentage of participants with LUTS visiting healthcare professionals for urinary symptoms was 38%.In conclusion, LUTS affect the majority of adults aged ≥40 years in China, and prevalence increases with increasing age. LUTS are associated with impaired QOL and mental health, but fewer than half of individuals in China with LUTS seek healthcare for their symptoms. There is therefore a need to improve awareness and treatment of the condition.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02618421.

Prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in China, Taiwan, and South Korea: Results from a Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study

Introduction

Few population-based data are available evaluating the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Asia. The objective of our study was to determine LUTS prevalence in China, Taiwan, and South Korea using International Continence Society (ICS) 2002 criteria.

Methods

An Internet-based self-administered survey among individuals aged at least 40 years with the ability to use a computer and to read the local language. Survey questions included ICS symptom definitions and the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics and post hoc significance testing.

Results

There were 8284 participants, of whom 51% were women and 34% were aged at least 60 years. LUTS prevalence was slightly higher in men than women (62.8% vs. 59.6%; p = 0.004), increasing significantly with age (p = 0.001). All three ICS symptom groups (voiding, storage, and post-micturition) were present in 35% of individuals with LUTS. Symptoms with the highest overall prevalence were nocturia, frequency, incomplete emptying, and terminal dribble. The most bothersome symptoms were terminal dribble, nocturia, and urgency. According to IPSS scores, 87% of participants had at least mild symptoms; 43% of those aged over 60 years had moderate/severe symptoms. The percentage of participants with any LUTS who had visited healthcare professionals because of urinary symptoms was 26%, rising to 45% amongst individuals with all three symptom groups (p = 0.001 vs. other ICS symptom groups).

Conclusions

LUTS are highly prevalent in men and women aged at least 40 years who participated in this study in China, Taiwan, and South Korea and increases with increasing age. A minority of individuals with LUTS seek healthcare and our results suggest an increased patient awareness of LUTS is required.

Funding

Astellas Pharma Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02618421.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0577-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Changes in urination according to the sound of running water using a mobile phone application

Objective

The sound of running water (SRW) has been effectively used for toilet training during toddlerhood. However, the effect of SRW on voiding functions in adult males with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has not been evaluated. To determine the effect of SRW on urination in male patients with LUTS, multiple voiding parameters of uroflowmetry with postvoid residual urine (PVR) were assessed according to the presence of SRW played by a mobile application.

Methods

Eighteen consecutive male patients with LUTS were prospectively enrolled between March and April 2014. Uroflowmetry with PVR measured by a bladder scan was randomly performed once weekly for two consecutive weeks with and without SRW in a completely sealed room after pre-checked bladder volume was scanned to be more than 150 cc. SRW was played with river water sounds amongst relaxed melodies from a smartphone mobile application.

Results

The mean age of enrolled patients and their mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were 58.9 ± 7.7 years (range: 46–70) and 13.1 ± 5.9, respectively. All patients had not been prescribed any medications, including alpha-blockers or anti-muscarinic agents, in the last 3 months. There was a significant increase in mean peak flow rate (PFR) with SRW in comparison to without SRW (15.7 mL/s vs. 12.3 mL/s, respectively, p = 0.0125). However, there were no differences in other uroflowmetric parameters, including PVR.

Conclusions

The study showed that SRW from a mobile phone application may be helpful in facilitating voiding functions by increasing PFR in male LUTS patients.

Does a continence educational brochure promote health-seeking behavior?

OBJECTIVE

This study reviewed whether participants who were given a continence education package, which included a Continence Educational Brochure (CEB), and who indicated that they were bothered by incontinence symptoms changed health-seeking behaviors about their incontinence problem because of being given the brochure.

METHOD

This study used a descriptive and exploratory design. Participants were given the CEB and asked to read the information. They were also asked to complete a continence questionnaire and mail this back to the research team. Participants who indicated that they were bothered by a continence problem and consented to being interviewed were telephoned 2 to 3 months later. They were asked questions to determine their actions and progress in relation to managing their continence problem and whether the CEB had influenced their behavior.

SETTING AND SUBJECT

A total of 631 participants (352 females, 55.8%; 279 males, 44.2%) from 4 rural and regional settings in Victoria, Australia, participated. Of this sample, 111 participants (78 females, 70.3%; 33 males, 29.7%) who reported that they were bothered by a continence problem were interviewed 3 months after being given the CEB.

RESULTS

Two thirds of the total sample of participants (n=111) sought help for their continence problem. Approximately 70.3% (n=78) continued to have a continence problem. Of this group, 84.6% were still bothered by the continence problem and 65.4% had taken action to treat their incontinence. Forty-nine participants (44.1%) indicated that they had discussed the issue of bladder or bowel problems with someone directly because of this study or the information contained in the brochure. More than 94% of participants who remembered the CEB indicated that they believed the brochure would be helpful if given to other people.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the CEB prompted individuals to discuss their continence problem and in fewer cases to seek professional help. Given these findings, distribution of a continence education package is advocated as a continence health promotion strategy.

Characteristics of female outpatients with urinary incontinence participating in a 6-month observational study in 14 European countries

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of women seeking treatment for symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) in European countries.

DESIGN

Prospective urinary incontinence research (PURE) was a 6-month, observational, pan-European study, primarily aimed at determining the direct costs of urinary incontinence treatment. The secondary objectives of PURE were to describe the impact of UI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in treatment seeking patients and to illustrate the treatment patterns for UI in Europe.

SETTING

One thousand and Fifty-five physicians from 14 European countries, including general practitioners (GPs), gynaecologists, urologists and geriatricians, observed women seeking treatment for their UI and recorded data at the first observation and then prospectively at 3 and 6 months after the first observation during the normal course of therapy.

SUBJECTS

Women of at least 18 years of age who had experienced urinary leakage in the 12 months prior to enrolment in the study, who were seeking treatment or under treatment for UI and who presented within the normal course of UI care were included in the 6 months study. The first observation characteristics of the patients are described here.

METHODS

Demographic characteristics, as well as disease and treatment status at first observation were explored using descriptive summary statistics to gain an understanding of the population studied.

RESULTS

In total, 9487 women took part in PURE, with the largest patient groups from Germany, Spain and the UK/Ireland. The majority of women were post-menopausal and had a mean age of 60.7 years, were not current smokers and tended to be overweight (BMI > 25.0). Overall, mixed UI symptoms were more common than SUI and UUI, as defined by clinical opinion (SUI 38%, MUI 42% and UUI 18%), and by a two-item questionnaire, the S/UIQ (SUI 29%, MUI 58% and UUI 13%). Around half of the patients (48%) suffered from their symptoms for less than 2 years before consulting a physician; 28% delayed seeking treatment for 3-5 years, with 13% waiting for 6-10 years and the remaining 11% waiting for 11 or more years.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the described patients' characteristics may provide important information to clinicians to enable them to take a more active approach to case-finding, which will ultimately benefit the incontinent patient.

Assessment of bothersomeness and impact on quality of life of urinary incontinence in women in France, Germany, Spain and the UK

OBJECTIVE

To assess the bothersomeness and impact on quality of life (QoL) of urinary incontinence in community-dwelling women in France, Germany, Spain and the UK.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A detailed follow-up questionnaire was mailed to 2960 randomly-selected women who had reported symptoms of urinary incontinence in an earlier survey of 29,500 representative households in four European countries. In the second questionnaire, women were asked about the severity of their symptoms, the impact of urinary incontinence on their QoL, and how bothersome their incontinence was.

RESULTS

A total of 1573 women responded to the follow-up questionnaire, of which >80% reported that their urinary incontinence symptoms were bothersome. The greatest negative effect appeared to be on physical activities, confidence, self-perception and social activities, with a statistically significant correlation between an increase in bothersomeness and an increase in severity of symptoms. Similarly, a negative impact on QoL was associated with an increase in severity of incontinence. The variables: country, urinary incontinence type, severity, age, number of medical conditions and number of leakages had a statistically significant influence on the bother and the validated incontinence QoL (I-QoL) questionnaire scores.

CONCLUSION

The extent to which women are bothered by their urinary incontinence and report that their symptoms have a negative impact on their QoL is largely subjective. In determining the most appropriate management, physicians should consider the experience of being incontinent as unique to each individual.