LUTS has severe impact on men's quality of life

A study from the New England Research Institutes (NERI) in Watertown, MA, shows that lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can have as great an impact on a man's mental and physical quality of life as do diseases considered by many to be more severe.

"The effect of moderate LUTS - that is, LUTS that generates an international prostate symptom score (IPSS) of 8 - is similar to the effects of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer on the physical health component score. Severe LUTS - an IPSS score of 20 or higher - has an effect that is similar to a heart attack or stroke on the physical health component score," Carol Link, PhD, senior research scientist at NERI, told Urology Times.

Dr. Link noted that borders had no effect on the findings. The study compared data from Boston with data gathered in France, the UK, the Netherlands, and South Korea. Although differences in the national incidence of the diseases were observed, the impact of symptoms was similar, with one exception.

"It appears that LUTS is regarded as less troublesome in Seoul. We have no explanation for that," she said.