Prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Indigenous and Non-indigenous Women in Eastern Taiwan

Background/Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), their impact on quality of life, and their association with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among indigenous and non-indigenous women in Eastern Taiwan. Methods: A total of 376 indigenous women and 509 non-indigenous women aged over 18 years were interviewed concerning LUTS in the recent 6 months using International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaires. Results: Indigenous women had a higher prevalence of one or more LUTS than non-indigenous women (44.9% vs. 31.2%). Indigenous women had a significantly higher prevalence of urgency (7.7% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.024), straining to void (6.1% vs. 3.3%, p=0.036), and nocturia (37.2% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001) than non-indigenous women. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of impaired quality of life between indigenous and non-indigenous women (33.8% vs. 31.2%). Lower educational level, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and cigarette smoking, and not difference in race, had significant effect on a higher prevalence of bothersome LUTS in indigenous women than non-indigenous women. Conclusion: Indigenous women with lower educational level and specific lifestyle risk factors have a higher prevalence of LUTS than non-indigenous women in Taiwan.