Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) occur in 20-50% of people and decrease quality of life. Clinical observations indicate that manychronic diseases seem to be associated with LUTS. To evaluate the relationships between LUTS and Chronic disease [Hypertension (HTN), Diadetes mellitus (DM), Dyslipidemia (DL), Stroke, Myocardial Infarction (MI), Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Glaucoma, Depression] in Korean men.

In this study, we analyzed raw data from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) performed by the KCDC from August to November 2011. This survey targets South Koreans older than 19 years of age and was performed based on 1:1 direct interviews using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). KCHS has performed this survey to generate regional health statistics since 2008. Aged over 40 years of south Korean men was 73,643, excluding 1,002 whose question items were not completed, 8,006 were incomplete and complete of doctor-diagnosed BPH and current-treatment status, and 196 were incomplete status of BPH treatment leaving a final sample of 64,439 respondents whom interviews were conducted using questionnaires. Trained interviewers performed face-to-face surveys using computer-assisted personal interviewing, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and standard questions. We assessed the relationships of Chronic disease with LUTS.

We observed higher IPSS scores in participants who engaged in HTN (n=17,111 [24.1%], IPSS=4.17±6.02) than in those who was negative to HTN (n=47,314 [75.9%, IPSS=2.58±4.70). Other chronic diseases showed higher IPSS scores compare to none holders. DM patients showed higher storage and voiding symptom scores compare no none DM patients. In DL patients, none DL patients showed higher storage symptom scores who have storage symptoms compare to DL holders. Other chronic diseases showed higher storage and voiding symptom scores in group of presenting storage and voiding symptoms. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we detected no relationship between LUTS and Chronic disease. Most of chronic disease were related with LUTs and severity. Depression showed highest odds ratio (moderate: 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13–2.13; P<0.001, severe: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.58–1.58; P<0.001). However, Osteoporosis showed irrelevant figure (moderate: 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–0.98; P<0.001). Most of Chronic diseases have related with storage symptoms and voiding symptoms. Arthritis and glaucoma showed relationship with storage symptoms (1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52–1.93; P<0.001, 1.65 ; 95% CI, 1.28–2.13; P<0.001, respectively). Participants with depression presented strong relationship with voiding symptoms ( 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–2.7; P<0.001).

Most of chronic diseases had relationship with LUTS. Arthritis, stroke, and depression were associated with a greater severity of LUTS. Arthritis and glaucoma were also related to storage symptoms. Also, depression presented strong relationship with voiding symptoms.

Chronic diseases need to be considered in clinics with LUTS and further studies should be necessary.

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