Association between ambient temperature and lower urinary tract symptoms: a community-based survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the individual change of International prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) in each patient by temperature conditions.


METHODS
The severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was explored using the IPSS and OABSS questionnaires that were completed by 2.486 subjects (923 males and 1.563 females) aged 60 years and older. Korea Meteorological Administration data was used to determine daily average temperature and daily temperature difference on the interview dates at each site.


RESULTS
The mean IPSS and mean age for males was 13.45±8.24 and 75.03±6.20 years, respectively. The mean OABSS and mean age for females was 4.41±3.10 and 73.74±6.03years, respectively. Daily average temperature and daily temperature difference ranged from-3.4-28.3oC and 2.2-16.9oC, respectively. Age was a significantly risk factor for IPSS, OABSS, and QoL (P<0.001, <0.001, and 0.005, respectively). After multiple regression analysis, daily average temperatures did not show a statistically significant change in IPSS and OABSS. Only daily temperature differences were associated with male LUTS.


CONCLUSIONS
While LUTS could be worsened in low temperatures generally, IPSS and OABSS were not affected by daily average temperature conditions. Daily temperature differences may be more influential than daily average temperatures.
Department of Urology, Okmeydani Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Sung Ryul
SR
Shim
Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul. Korea.
Jae Heon
JH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jong Ho
JH
Won
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Eun Seop
ES
Song
Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul. Korea.
Yun Seob
YS
Song
D000367:Age Factors; D003081:Cold Climate; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors