Factors that influence lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS)-related quality of life (QoL) in a healthy population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related quality of life (QoL) score. This retrospective study analyzed 29,123 men who underwent health check-ups from January 2007 to July 2011 at a single institution. Those patients who completed the American urologic association symptom index (AUA-SI) with QoL, beck depression inventory (BDI) and state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaires were included in the study. Men with a history of medication for LUTS were excluded from the study. Men who submitted QoL scores of 3 or higher in spite of mild LUTS (total AUA-SI score < 8) were defined as having a relatively worse QoL. Mean age of 21,390 men was 48.4 +/- 9.5 years. Mean total AUA-SI score was 6.4 +/- 5.9 points. The QoL score was well correlated with the total AUA-SI score (r = 0.705, p < 0.001). Among all AUA-SI items, AUA-SI item 1 (incomplete emptying, r = 0.600, p < 0.001) had the strongest correlation with QoL scores. On the multivariate analysis, hypertension, total AUA-SI score, BDI score, and trait anxiety score were found to be independent factors that influenced the QoL scores. A lower age, a higher PSA, a higher AUA-SI score and a higher BDI score were risk factors for relatively worse QoL scores in spite of mild LUTS. Among the seven items of AUA-SI, AUA-SI item 1 has the strongest correlation with a worse LUTS-related QoL. Psychological status also influences the QoL scores.