Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in Austria as assessed by an open survey of 2,096 men.

Abstract

The lack of knowledge on the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in German-speaking countries prompted us to assess this issue in Austria by means of a large open-scale study. A community sample of 2,096 men equal to or older than 20 years, who participated in a health survey in Vienna, completed the recently validated German translation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). In addition, a detailed urological history and a physical evaluation (including digital rectal examination) were obtained. The mean age in the study population was 47 +/- 14 (range 20-96) years. The mean IPSS increased from 2.1 (20-29 years, n = 128) to 2.6 (30-39, n = 322), 3.0 (40-49, n = 902), 5.8 (50-59, n = 325), 5.7 (60-69, n = 219), 6.4 (70-79, n = 158), and 6.1 (>/=80 years, n = 42). The proportion of patients with moderate/severe LUTS defined by an IPSS >7 increased from 6.3% (20-29 years) to 8.4 (30-39), 11.1 (40-49), 27.1 (50-59), 28.3 (60-69), 36 (70-79), and 35.7% (>/=80 years). Overall, 7.8% of the men aged >/=50 years previously underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. In men aged 50-59 years, this proportion was 1.3%, and it increased to 4.2, 20.9, and 27.5% in those aged 60-69, 70-79, and >/=80 years, respectively. 7% of the men had previously consulted an urologist for micturition problems. In all life decades, these patients had higher IPSS levels than those with no previous urological visit. Based on the data generated, it is estimated that at present in Austria 26.9% (n = 291,761) of the men aged >/=50 years have moderate and further 2.8% (n = 30,815) severe LUTS. 7.8% of the men aged >/=50 years (n = 84,256) had a previous transurethral resection of the prostate. These data confirm the high prevalence of this condition in Austria.