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 the 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 bother, common health status, and social demographic as well as health care resources related issues. Results: Of 6,031 (67.2%) returned questionnaires, 5,404 (60.2%) were properly filled out and entered into the database. Of these, 5,004 (56%) completed all IPSS questions. 3,539 (70.7%) of the men presented with no or mild LUTS (IPSS 0-7), 1,465 (29,3%) with moderate to severe voiding symptoms (IPSS > 7), respectively. From logistic regression analysis it appears that mainly bother from voiding symptoms as well as incomplete emptying and week stream induced a visit to the doctor. Of men with moderate symptoms (IPSS 8-19), 40% did not report any bother. Conclusion: LUTS is a common condition among German elderly males. In general, bother from LUTS seem to have more effects on health care seeking behavior than symptoms themselves or physical health status. Bother scores may discriminate between those individuals with moderate symptoms (IPSS 8-19), who may be followed through watchful waiting instead of active therapy. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.