Abstract
Background: We compared urinary symptoms and urodynamic parameters in men and women with lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods: A total of 164 individuals (76 men and 88 women) were rated according to the International Prostate Symptom Score and underwent a detailed urodynamic investigation. Patients were stratified by age into 2 groups, namely, those <50 years (the younger group) and those >50 years (the elderly group). Results: In the elderly group, scores of voiding symptoms for men were higher than those for women (p = 0.012). Maximum flow rates (Qmax) for women were higher than those for men (p = 0.025 for the younger groups, and p < 0.001 for the elderly groups). Detrusor pressure at Qmax (p < 0.001), opening pressure (p < 0.001) and closing pressure (p = 0.023) were elevated in elderly men vs. in elderly women. A multiple linear regression analysis identified straining (β = 0.479, p < 0.05) and incomplete emptying (β = 0.487, p < 0.05) as the only variables influencing quality of life (QOL) in younger men and women, respectively. In elderly men, nocturia (β = 0.352, p < 0.05) and frequency (β = 0.287, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with QOL. Frequency (β = 0.452, p < 0.05) possibly explained a QOL reduction in elderly women. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in the elderly patients, storage symptoms are more associated with QOL than voiding symptoms. However, storage symptoms were not associated with QOL in younger men.