Cardiovascular risk factors and ethnicity are independent factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms

Objectives: To determine the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) profile and factors affecting its degree of severity including cardiovascular risk profile, age, ethnicity, education level and prostate volume in a multiethnic Asian setting. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1021 men aged 40-79 years with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer, prostate surgery or 5α-reductase inhibitor treatment of known prostate conditions. The severity of LUTS was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Potential factors associated with LUTS including age, ethnicity, education, history of hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, height, weight, and prostate volume were evaluated using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: There were 506 (50%) men found to have moderate-to-severe LUTS attaining an IPSS above 7. Overall, nocturia (45.5%) was the most frequently reported symptom. Multivariable analysis showed that age, ethnicity, prostate volume and history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were independent factors associated with severity of LUTS (p < 0.05). Considering individual lower urinary tract symptoms, we found a strong association of storage symptom with history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Malay men were significantly bothered by post micturition symptom compared to their Chinese and Indian counterparts. Stratified analyses of LUTS demonstrated a mutually exclusive cardiovascular risk factors profile defined by ethnicity. Conclusion: Severity of LUTS varies between different ethnicities across all age groups. In addition to age and prostate volume, ethnicity and cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and hypercholesterolemia may also need to be taken into account in managing men with LUTS

Multivariate analysis of factors associated with post micturition, voiding and storage symptoms.

<p>^† Age (year), height (m) and weight (kg) considered as continuous variables within the multivariate model.</p><p>Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; OR, odds ratio.</p><p>Multivariate analysis of factors associated with post micturition, voiding and storage symptoms.</p

Comparison of factors associated with LUTS.

<p>Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; IPSS, international prostate symptom score; LUTS, lower urinary tract voding symptoms; OR, odds ratio.</p><p>Comparison of factors associated with LUTS.</p

Profile of storage, voiding and post micturition symptoms amongst various ethnicities.

<p>Venn diagram showing the distribution of urological symptoms in Malay (M), Chinese (C) and Indian (I) participants.</p