Correlation between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and sexual function in benign prostatic hyperplasia: impact of treatment of LUTS on sexual function.
BACKGROUND
Although many reports have shown a relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual function (SF), it is not known which symptom(s) among LUTS should be treated to improve SF.


OBJECTIVE
Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate correlations between LUTS and SF and to determine which symptom(s) should be improved to increase SF.


METHODS
The correlation between the severity of LUTS and erectile dysfunction (ED) was investigated, and changes in LUTS were compared and analyzed to determine which symptom(s) should be eliminated to improve SF.


METHODS
The correlation between LUTS and SF was investigated in 365 men (62.04 +/- 8.26) with benign prostatic hyperplasia. To measure the severity of the LUTS and ED, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), frequency of nocturia, uroflowmetry, residual urine, transrectal ultrasonography, and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 were performed at the first visit. After 3 months of treatment with alpha-blockers (n = 304), they were assessed again to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.


RESULTS
All parameters of LUTS (IPSS, age, residual urine, uroflow rate, and nocturia) except prostate volume correlated significantly with the total and each domain of IIEF-5 (P < 0.01). After 3 months, the changed scores in the IPSS-VD domain and IPSS-quality of life (QoL) correlated significantly with the improvement in total IIEF-5 and the domains of IIEF-5 (P < 0.05). The changed rates of the mean uroflow correlated significantly with the improvement in total IIEF-5 and the EF domain (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Among the LUTS parameters, improvement in the IPSS-VD domain, IPSS-QoL, and mean uroflow significantly correlated with an increased score in the IIEF-5 EF domain. Thus, it is expected that the improvement of voiding symptoms and uroflow will be associated with the improvement in erectile function.
Jung
Jae Hun
JH
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsang Institute of Health Sciences, Jinju, South Korea.
Jae
Sung Uk
SU
Kam
Sung Chul
SC
Hyun
Jae Seog
JS
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists