Epidemiologic Survey Using International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in Elderly Men Above 40 Years Old in Seoul Area / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We tried to determine the prevalence of LUTS and to measure the impact of these symptoms on quality of life (QOL), and to reevaluate the validity of I-PSS in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,356 men ranging from 40 to 79 years old living in Seoul metropolitan area was selected by stepwise random sampling and surveyed with questionnaire including I-PSS. Several risk factors were analyzed to assess the relevance with lower urinary tract symptoms. RESULTS: About 16% had moderate-to-severe LUTS, as assessed by I-PSS more than 7. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe LUTS increased significantly with age (p<0.01); 10%, 16%, 29%, and 45% in the age groups 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 years respectively. The most prevalent symptoms were weak stream and nocturia. QOL decreased as urinary symptom severity increased; 5%, 52%, 78% of the men with I-PSS 0 to 7, 8 to 19, and 20 to 35 had poor QOL as assessed by QOL indices more than 2, respectively. A good correlation was found between the total symptom score and the quality of life score that was included in the I-PSS. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe LUTS of elderly men above 40 years old in Seoul metropolitan area are relatively common, and more people suffer from the LUTS as they get older. New modified I-PSS system in Korean elderly men according to the importance of individual symptom in the established I-PSS, will be beneficial in the management of the lower tract symptom associated with BPH.