Distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms in adult women and the frequency with which the women consulted a health care provider for their symptoms.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical study.


METHODS
Community Health Center of Aga Khan University Hospital from November 1st to 30th, 2002.


METHODS
A trained interviewer administered a structured questionnaire to women patients or attendants aged 18 years and older coming to the center.


RESULTS
Fifty-two percent of the study subjects reported having at least one or more urinary complaints in the past. Stress incontinence was the highest reported complaint (38.4%) followed by burning (34.4%), frequency (26%), painful micturition (20.4%), urge incontinence (18.8 %), incomplete emptying of bladder (14.4%), dribbling (12.4%) and poor stream (8.4%). Forty-three percent of the women with LUTS never consulted a health care provider for their problem.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the distribution of LUTS among females was found to be high, the patients did not consider it important enough to consult a health care provider. There is a need to create awareness among females regarding LUTS and the need to consult a health care provider for their problems.
Andrades
Marie
M
Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. marie.andrades@aku.edu
Paul
Rose
R
Ambreen
Aisha
A
Dodani
Sunita
S
Dhanani
Raheem H
RH
Qidwai
Waris
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*