Prevalence and impact on quality of life of lower urinary tract symptoms among a sample of employed women in Taipei: A questionnaire survey

Background

Previous studies about the prevalence and impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were focused on urinary incontinence or overactive bladder in the general population. Little research has been focused on the role that the workplace has in employed women's experiences with LUTS or the impact of LUTS on their health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of LUTS among employed female nurses in Taipei and to compare the HRQL for nurses with and without LUTS.

Design

This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire survey.

Settings

Three medical centers and five regional hospitals in Taipei were selected randomly.

Participants

In the selected hospitals, 1065 female nurses were selected randomly. Data analyses were based on 907 usable surveys. All participants were native Taiwanese; most of the female nurses were 26-35 years of age (mean = 31.02, SD = 6.32), had normal body mass index, and had never given birth. Most nurses’ bladder habits were poor or very poor and their personal habits of fluid consumption at work were inadequate.

Methods

Data were collected using the Taiwan Nurse Bladder Survey and the Short Form 36 Taiwan version. Chi-square tests were used to compare the prevalence rates of different LUTS for nurses in different age groups. Student's t-tests were conducted to compare the mean scores of HRQL for nurses with and without LUTS.

Results

Based on 907 usable surveys, 590 (65.0%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. The prevalence for different LUTS ranged from 8.0% to 46.5%. Nurses who reported LUTS also reported lower HRQL, more so on physical health than mental health, than nurses who did not report LUTS.

Conclusions

Although most of the nurses in this study were young (≦35 years) and nulliparous, LUTS were common among this group. The high prevalence rate of LUTS leads to concerns about nurses’ possible dysfunctional voiding patterns and possible effects of working environment and poor bladder and personal habits on LUTS. Study results showed a possible negative impact of LUTS on nurses’ physical health. Designing a continence-related education program for this group is essential for delivering information about LUTS prevention and management.     

氯胺酮导致下尿路症状的研究进展

氯胺酮导致下尿路症状是一种由于长期吸食氯胺酮导致的一种以尿频、尿急、夜尿增多伴有耻骨上疼痛的综合征。近几年临床工作者开始重视氯胺酮对于泌尿系统的损害,开展了一系列调查和研究,包括对发病机制、病理特点、治疗方案的研究。但该病的病因、命名和诊断仍不清楚,治疗多为对症治疗。本文检索了近年来发表的相关文献,以探究氯胺酮导致下尿路症状。     

Systematic pelvic floor training for lower urinary tract symptoms post-prostatectomy: a randomized clinical trial

Because the majority of prostate cancers are diagnosed in the local or regional stages, radical prostatectomy is a treatment of choice for many patients, particularly men younger than 65 years of age. However, radical prostatectomy carries a significant risk of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and may also impair quality of life. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of systematic postoperative pelvic floor training (PFT) on LUTS intensity, LUTS distress and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) at 3, 6 and 12 months following radical prostatectomy. This randomized clinical trial was guided by the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms. All participants (n = 126) received brief instructions for exercising pelvic floor muscles before surgery and the offer of a biofeedback evaluation session 1 month following catheter removal. The intervention group (n = 62) received an additional 4 weeks of PFT immediately following catheter removal. Intervention and control groups both reported steady declines in the intensity and distress associated with LUTS, but no between‐group differences were found. Similarly, no between‐group differences were found in impact on HRQL; however, the pattern of HRQL impact differed by group (p < 0·01) in the direction of greater impairment over time for the control group. LUTS intensity, LUTS distress and negative effects on HRQL decline for many radical prostatectomy patients over the first postoperative year; however, improvement does not occur in all patients. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of factors that influence development, resolution and management of LUTS following radical prostatectomy.     

Toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms among female nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

BackgroundUnhealthy toileting behaviours exist among women, and lower urinary tract symptoms have a high prevalence and significant effects on quality of life. However, the relationship between toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms is unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms among female nurses, and the association between toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms.DesignA cross-sectional stratified cluster sampling study.ParticipantsA total of 636 female clinical nurses from tertiary hospitals in Jinan (the capital city of Shandong Province, China).MethodsThe Toileting Behaviour-Women’s Elimination Behaviours and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms scales were used to assess the participants’ toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms.ResultsUnhealthy toileting behaviours were common among the female nurses, with delayed voiding being the unhealthiest toileting behaviour, which was followed by place and position preference for voiding. Nearly 68% of the female nurses had at least one lower urinary tract symptom, nearly 50% had incontinence symptoms, 40% had filling symptoms, and 18% had voiding symptoms. Unhealthy toileting behaviours (premature voiding, delayed voiding, and straining to void) were positively associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. However, lower urinary tract symptoms were not significantly associated with voiding place or position preference. Among the control variables, being married or having a history of a urinary tract infection was associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Having a higher income and regular menstrual period were negatively associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Compared with vaginal delivery, caesarean delivery had a protective association with lower urinary tract symptoms.ConclusionLower urinary tract symptoms among female nurses should not be overlooked, because their prevalence among female clinical nurses exceeded that among the general population of women. These findings highlight the importance of avoiding unhealthy toileting behaviours (especially premature voiding, delayed voiding, and straining to void), as these unhealthy toileting behaviours were significantly associated with susceptibility to lower urinary tract symptoms.     

Impact of urinary and climacteric symptoms on social and sexual life after surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: a long-term outcome

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results of surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) using both subjective and objective methods. BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on the influence of biological and social changes in a woman's life on the long-term outcome of surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: The study included 45 women with genuine SUI treated with either retropubic urethrocystopexy (n=30) or puboccocygeal repair (n=15). The assessment included interviews, questionnaires, urinary diary, pad test, continence test and urodynamic investigation. RESULTS: The results were evaluated at intervals of 3 months, 1 year and 5--7 years after the treatment. One year after the surgical treatment 71% of the women in the urethrocystopexy group and 80% in the pubococcygeal repair group were subjectively cured, while 5--7 years after surgery the corresponding values were 43% vs. 60%. However, according to pad test a 67% of the women in the urethrocystopexy group and 47% in the pubococcygeal repair group had ceased to leak urine 1 year after the operation whereas at the long-term follow-up the corresponding values were 64% vs. 71%. According to the questionnaire at the long-term follow-up only 35% of the women in the whole group had genuine SUI whereas 21% had urge-incontinence. Moreover, 37% experienced sweating, 23% flushing and 44% vaginal dryness. The number of women with adiposity had increased significantly (P < 0.001) at the long-term follow-up. Twenty-eight per cent of the women decreased their activities whereas the majority experienced no impediment. Seventy-nine per cent reported that they were sexually active and the majority reported satisfaction with their sexual lives. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate assessment of postoperative results of SUI demands rigorous recording of subjective and objective data taking into consideration psychological and social factors, otherwise there is a high risk of bias in the interpretation of the results of the treatment for SUI. This study indicates that, in order to give women with SUI adequate treatment the nursing care should comprehend the women's divergent experiences of urinary incontinence and its impact on social and sexual life.     

济南市社区女性尿失禁患者生活质量及影响因素的调查分析

目的调查济南市社区女性尿失禁患者的生活质量(quality of life,QOL)状况,了解其影响因素。方法采用方便抽样的方法,对济南市3个大型社区506例女性尿失禁患者进行问卷调查。结果 506例患者的QOL水平整体较好,平均得分为(79.5±16.6)分。逃避和限制性行为、社交活动受限是尿失禁患者QOL受影响较为明显的2个方面。影响患者QOL的因素共有9个,最终进入回归方程的有3个,分别是:文化程度(初中、高中、大专及以上)、混合性尿失禁和中重度尿失禁,共可解释QOL变异量的31.1%。结论济南市社区女性尿失禁患者的QOL水平整体较好,但其影响因素较多,应依据影响因素的不同进行针对性的护理干预,进一步提高患者的QOL。     

Impact of urinary incontinence on sexual quality of life in Portuguese adults

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a symptom of an underlying disorder with a high prevalence, constituting an important public health problem due to its physical, psychological and social consequences. The impact it has on the individuals' quality of life is revealed in their daily activities, self‐perception, socialization, emotional health and in their sexual life. The objective of this study is to analyse the impact of incontinence on the sexual quality of life, identifying the role of the variables: gender, duration and severity of incontinence, impact of incontinence on the quality of life and type of incontinence. The sample was composed by 55 patients (54·05% male and 45·5% female) from health facilities, in Lisbon, with a mean age of 55 years, who answered a set of questionnaires, which included: the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7); the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6); the Questionnaire on Sexual Quality of Life, male and female versions (SQoL‐F/SQoL‐M) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results indicate that UI has a negative impact on the sexual quality of life in general, especially if the incontinence symptoms endure for a long period of time; also the impact of UI on social relationships, and the stress UI has a significant and negative impact on the sexual quality of life. In this study, UI has a negative impact on sexual life compounded by restrictions and other negative consequences of living with urinary leakage. The authors conclude that further research is required to ascertain the full impact of UI on sexual quality of life. Finally, implications for nurses are also discussed: in addressing the sexual health of their patients, nurses have an important contribution in assuring that experiencing UI should not necessarily translate into negative sexual quality of life.     

Discrimination of bladder disorders in female lower urinary tract symptoms on ultrasonographic cystourethrography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate morphologic features of bladder disorders in female lower urinary tract symptoms using ultrasonographic cystourethrography and to elucidate the anatomic association of these morphologic characteristics. METHODS: Ultrasonographic cystourethrography was performed in 1049 women with lower urinary tract symptoms and 1 single urodynamic diagnosis, including 764 patients with genuine stress incontinence, 190 with detrusor instability, and 95 with a hypersensitive bladder. Thirty-six women with no lower urinary tract symptoms served as control subjects. Ultrasonographic assessment included measurement of the bladder neck position at rest and during stress and observation of the development of bladder neck funneling and cystocele during the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: Hypersensitive bladder and control groups had a significantly higher bladder neck position at rest and during stress, a lesser rotational angle of the bladder neck, a lower prevalence of bladder neck funneling and cystocele formation, and lesser mean bladder wall thickness than the other diagnostic groups. In the study groups, age, parity, and menopause may have effects on the cystourethrographic parameters except rotational angle and funneling of the bladder neck. With control of the confounding factors, bladder wall thickness at the trigone and dome was negatively correlated with the resting bladder neck angle (P = .006 and 0.019, respectively). Bladder wall thickness at the dome was positively associated with the rotational angle of the bladder neck (P = .022). Funneling of the bladder neck and development of cystocele during stress were positively associated with the resting and straining bladder neck angles as well as the rotational angle of the bladder neck. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic manifestation of a hypersensitive bladder is significantly different from that of genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability.     

Changes in lower urinary tract symptoms before and after using an indwelling urethral catheter

Aim: The purpose of this study was to clarify changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) before and after the use of indwelling urethral catheters. Methods: Subjects were 39 inpatients (13 males and 26 females) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Lower urinary tract symptoms was measured by using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Demographic variables, abdominal pain, quality of life (QOL), and anxiety were also measured. Results: On admission, 84.6% (n = 36) of subject had LUTS, and 71.8% (n = 28) of subject still had LUTS even after use of the catheter. We found no correlation between LUTS and physical or psychological factors. Quality of life because of urinary symptoms was poor in patients with LUTS. After the use of catheters, IPSS decreased (P < 0.01), and in six cases, subjects exhibited intensified LUTS. Conclusions: The IPSS score significantly decreased in this group of participants after the removal of the indwelling urethral catheter. However, we must assess the LUTS of all patients who did or do not have a chief urinary compliant when the indwelling urethral catheter is/was used because there were many inpatients with LUTS, and the QOL because of LUTS was low in patients. Moreover, there were six patients whose symptoms of LUTS deteriorated after the use of a catheter. We could not find the causes of worsening symptoms of LUTS. It is necessary to investigate the long‐term effects following the use of the indwelling urethral catheter. In future, we have to thoroughly examine patients with severe LUTS and other diseases, which require essential treatment.     

北京50岁及以上男性夜尿患病率调查

目的调查北京地区50岁及以上男性夜尿患病现状及其与年龄、下尿路症状及膀胱过度活动症(OAB)的相关性。方法采用分层多阶段整群不等比例随机抽样方法选择年龄≥50岁男性作为研究对象。下尿路症状的评估包括国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、生活质量(QOL)评分、腹部超声前列腺体积、残余尿量测定和最大尿流率测定。夜尿定义为夜间睡眠过程中≥2次排尿。结果本研究共调查社区中老年男性人群1656人,符合本研究要求的共计1639人。年龄50～89岁,平均(64±10)岁。夜尿的患病率为66.4%(1089/1639)。夜尿的患病率与社区中老年男性的年龄、IPSS评分、QOL评分、残余尿量以及最大尿流率均具有显著相关性(P<0.01)。对年龄以及IPSS评分的分层研究发现,夜尿的患病率随着年龄的增加以及下尿路症状的加重明显升高(P<0.01)。夜尿人群中OAB患病率显著高于非夜尿人群。结论社区中老年男性夜尿的患病率很高,严重影响中老年患者生活质量,是一种常见但未被充分认识的疾病。中老年男性夜尿患病率随年龄增长逐渐增加。     

不同拔管时机对全麻术后留置尿管患者下尿路症状和尿控恢复情况的影响

目的探讨不同拔管时机对全麻术后留置尿管患者尿管相关下尿路症状和拔管后尿控恢复情况的影响。方法分层随机选取2018年1月—2019年7月首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院行全麻手术患者术后留置尿管患者198例,采用数字表法随机分为观察组101例和对照组97例。两组患者均采用经过循证护理论证,及院内尿管材质、型号进行的水囊测定试验结果制订的拔管方法。对照组拔管时机为膀胱空虚、患者没有尿意情况下拔除尿管,等尿意出现时,再协助排尿;观察组拔管时机为膀胱处于充盈状态且患者有尿意时,借助腹压使尿管随尿液自然排出。比较两组患者尿管相关下尿路症状和拔管后尿控恢复情况。结果观察组排尿成功率高于对照组,核心下尿路症状评分、尿频、尿急及急性尿潴留发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组最大膀胱测压容量和残余尿量低于对照组,拔管后72 h控尿率和最大尿流率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论待全麻术后留置尿管患者膀胱充盈且有尿意时拔管可以降低尿管相关下尿路症状的发生率和严重程度,有助于患者恢复膀胱功能,提高尿控能力。     

Urinary tract infection in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction

Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is becoming more common in aging societies worldwide. In patients with LUTD, the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) rises due to several distinct mechanisms, including easy bacterial access to the urinary tract, impaired bacterial washout, and an impaired innate defense system. The pathophysiology of LUTD varies depending on whether it is neurogenic or non-neurogenic, as well as by gender; therefore, the etiology and characteristics of UTI differ according to the type of LUTD. Patients with neurogenic LUTD, especially those with spinal cord injury, have a high risk of febrile UTI, and strict bladder management is required to prevent UTI. Clean intermittent catheterization with or without appropriate pharmacological therapy is also strongly recommended for patients with neurogenic LUTD at risk of febrile UTI, unable to void, or with high post-void residual volume. In contrast, both male and female patients with non-neurogenic LUTD have a lower risk of symptomatic UTI. There is insufficient evidence for non-neurogenic LUTD regarding the association between symptomatic UTI but not asymptomatic bacteriuria and LUTD severity, including the presence of post-void residual volume, or whether therapeutic intervention for LUTS reduces the incidence of UTI, particularly in male patients. In this narrative review, we aimed to highlight the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and management of UTI in patients with LUTD.     

Lifestyle changes for the prevention and management of lower urinary tract symptoms in women

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent conditions with a profound influence on the well‐being and quality of life. Patients should receive counselling on the behavioural changes for promoting healthy lifestyle in the prevention and optimal treatment of LUTS. In obese women, weight loss should be advised as one of the first‐step interventions. Smoking cessation is recommended considering the relationship between smoking and lower urinary tract complaints in addition to its general health risks. Caffeine consumption should be limited to <200 mg/d (two cups of coffee) because of its potential effects on urgency and frequency of symptoms. The products which are thought to be bladder irritants should be removed one by one from the diet, and the change in the symptoms must be monitored separately for some time. Fluid intake restriction in the evening can be useful especially in the elderly women. The amount of daily fluids should be approximately 30 mL/kg (eight cups) according to the body weight. Changing high‐impact exercise with low‐impact exercise and avoiding activities that require recurrent, chronic intra‐abdominal pressure may be useful especially in stress incontinence. Dietary changes and other recommendations for maintaining healthy bowel movements should be provided for the prevention of constipation. In conclusion, using lifestyle changes is viewed effective and recommended to be used to treat urinary incontinence, especially in combination with other behavioural techniques.     

深圳某社区青年女性下尿路症状的问卷调查研究

目的：分析青年女性人群下尿路症状（LUTS）的发病率和相关影响因素。方法：对广东省深圳市某社区青年女性人群进行随机抽样问卷凋查（问卷设计参考女性下尿路症状国际尿失禁标准问卷（ICIQFLUT）、国际前列腺状问卷（IPSS）布里斯托女性下尿路症状（BFLUTS）问卷及生活质量（QoL）等],根据具体情况进行调整。问卷由被调查者独立填写。结果：调查共发出问卷1500份,回收有效问卷1387份。储尿症状总患病率为91．2％,随年龄的增加,总储尿症状患病率呈增高趋势（P〈0．01）,与年龄和分娩方式有关;排尿症状总患病率为65．2％,随年龄的增加,总储尿症状患病率呈增高趋势（P〈0．01）,与生育情况、分娩方式以及文化水平有关。受调查者以刺激症状和梗阻症状的生活质量进行评分,分别为（2．87±1．32）分和（2．23±1．05）分;刺激症状和梗阻症状与生活质量评分的关联系数分别为0．51和0．23。结论：青年女性人群中的LUTS患病率很高,且不同程度影响青年女性的生活质量。     

Healthcare-seeking with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms among men in the Danish population: the impact of lifestyle and socioeconomic status

Objective: (1) To identify possible factors of importance for reporting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men and (2) to examine possible associations between socioeconomic status (SES), lifestyle factors, and likelihood of men contacting a general pracitioner (GP) regarding LUTS reported to be of concern or influencing daily activities (bothersome LUTS).

Design: Nationwide population-based, cross-sectional survey. Data was collected in 2012.

Setting: The general Danish population.

Subjects: A total of 48,910 randomly selected men aged 20+.

Main Outcome Measures: (1) Odds ratios for reporting LUTS by lifestyle and SES, and (2) Odds ratios for GP contact with bothersome LUTS by lifestyle and SES.

Results: 23,240 men participated (49.8%). Nocturia was the most commonly experienced LUTS (49.8%). Incontinence was most often reported as bothersome (64.1%) and nocturia less often reported as bothersome (34.2%). Only about one third of the men reporting a bothersome LUTS contacted their GP. Odds for reporting LUTS significantly increased with increasing age, obesity, and lack of labor market affiliation. Increasing age and symptom burden significantly increased the odds for GP contact regarding bothersome LUTS. No overall associations were found between lifestyle, SES, and GP contact.

Conclusion: Bothersome LUTS are common among Danish men. Concern and influence of LUTS on daily activities are important determinants of GP contact, yet only one in three bothersome LUTS are discussed with a GP. Advanced age and symptom burden were significantly associated with GP contact.

Implications: Information on treatment options for LUTS might be desirable among Danish men regardless of SES and lifestyle.

• Key points

• Urological symptoms are common among men in the Danish population and are often managed without contacting healthcare professionals.

• Increasing age and symptom burden significantly increase the likelihood of consulting a general practitioner regarding bothersome urological symptoms

• Healthcare-seeking behavior with bothersome urological symptoms is not influenced by lifestyle or socioeconomic status among Danish men;

• Information about available, effective treatment options for urological symptoms might be desirable among men regardless of socioeconomic status and lifestyle