How important are men's lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on the quality of life (QOL)?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the extent to which symptom severity and related factors contribute to the explained variance of the quality of life (QOL) of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).


METHODS
Data from 480 men awaiting urological assessment were collected by questionnaires shortly after referral by their general practitioners in 1997-2000. The World Health Organization's QOL questionnaire (WHOQOL-bref), International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), Symptom Problem Index (SPI), International Continence Society Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia questionnaire (ICS-BPH), the Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index, and BPH Specific Impact on Activity (BSIA) were used.


RESULTS
Regression analyses with WHOQOL-bref scores as dependent variables (physical, psychological, social relations, environmental domains, as well as overall QOL and general health) showed that symptom severity predicted only physical health. The severity of urinary incontinence was predictive of all domains except general health. Sexual function was predictive of all domains. Regression coefficients were close to zero. The explained variance of WHOQOL-bref scores was low (5-17%).


CONCLUSIONS
The WHOQOL-bref might be too comprehensive to identify associations between specific symptom-related factors. Alternatively, our results indicate that LUTS suggestive of BPH and LUTS-associated factors are not very important determinants of QOL.
Haltbakk
J
J
Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway. Johannes.Haltbakk@isf.uib.no
Hanestad
B R
BR
Hunskaar
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000503:physiopathology*