Factors that influence lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS)-related quality of life (QoL) in a healthy population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related quality of life (QoL) score.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 29,123 men who underwent health check-ups from January 2007 to July 2011 at a single institution. Those patients who completed the American urologic association symptom index (AUA-SI) with QoL, beck depression inventory (BDI) and state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaires were included in the study. Men with a history of medication for LUTS were excluded from the study. Men who submitted QoL scores of 3 or higher in spite of mild LUTS (total AUA-SI score <8) were defined as having a relatively worse QoL.

RESULTS: Mean age of 21,390 men was 48.4 ± 9.5 years. Mean total AUA-SI score was 6.4 ± 5.9 points. The QoL score was well correlated with the total AUA-SI score (r = 0.705, p < 0.001). Among all AUA-SI items, AUA-SI item 1 (incomplete emptying, r = 0.600, p < 0.001) had the strongest correlation with QoL scores. On the multivariate analysis, hypertension, total AUA-SI score, BDI score, and trait anxiety score were found to be independent factors that influenced the QoL scores. A lower age, a higher PSA, a higher AUA-SI score and a higher BDI score were risk factors for relatively worse QoL scores in spite of mild LUTS.

CONCLUSIONS: Among the seven items of AUA-SI, AUA-SI item 1 has the strongest correlation with a worse LUTS-related QoL. Psychological status also influences the QoL scores.