Objectives: We explored the association between asthma severity and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using the International Prostate Symptom Score in a population-based study of males (aged ≥19 years) and evaluated voiding and urine storage symptoms.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 101,848 males, 2,544 of whom had asthma, who participated in the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey. All subjects were assessed in terms of sociodemographic data, pre-existing conditions, and the presence of LUTS. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for LUTS in asthmatics.
Results: Urine storage symptoms (frequency, urgency, and nocturia) and voiding symptoms (straining, a weak stream, intermittency, and incomplete emptying) were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the non-asthma group (all p < 0.001). Moderate and severe LUTS were significantly more common in the asthma group (moderate, 24.3%; severe, 22.5%) than in the nonasthma group (moderate, 9.5%; severe, 2.9%). Compared to the mild LUTS group, the odds ratio (OR) for asthma was 2.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.99-2.46) in the moderate LUTS group, and 3.04 (95% CI 2.64-3.51) in the severe LUTS group. In a model evaluating multiple variables, the OR for asthma in the moderate LUTS group was 1.95 (95% CI 1.74-2.16) and that in the severe LUTS group was 2.17 (95% CI 1.87-2.53). Asthma was associated with both voiding and storage symptoms.
Conclusions: Male asthma was associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS. More aggressive urological diagnosis and treatment are needed for patients with asthma.
Keywords: Aerobiology; Asthma; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Men; Nocturia.
© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.