Male lower urinary tract symptoms and related health care seeking in Germany

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS) and LUTS-related health care issues in the male population between th e ages of 50 and 80 in Germany. Methods: 8,973 randomly chosen men in the age group of interest received by mail a self-administered questionnaire addressing voiding symptoms and bot her, common health status, and social demographic as well as health care re sources related issues. Results: Of 6,031 (67.2%) returned questionnaires, 5,404 (60.2%) were prope rly filled out and entered into the database. Of these, 5,004 (56%) complet ed all IPSS questions. 3,539 (70.7%) of the men presented with no or mild L UTS (IPSS 0-7), 1,465 (29,3%) with moderate to severe voiding symptoms (IPS S > 7), respectively. From logistic regression analysis it appears that mai nly bother from voiding symptoms as well as incomplete emptying and week st ream induced a visit to the doctor. Of men with moderate symptoms (IPSS 8-1 9), 40% did not report any bother. Conclusion: LUTS is a common condition among German elderly males. In gener al, bother from LUTS seem to have more effects on health care seeking behav ior than symptoms themselves or physical health status. Bother scores may d iscriminate between those individuals with moderate symptoms (IPSS 8-19), w ho may be followed through watchful waiting instead of active therapy. Copy right (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.