Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in middle-aged and elderly Japanese

AimsTo estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Japanese people, and the relationships to aging and sex, we carried out the present population-based study. MethodsThe present study included 1198 men aged 60.712.5 years and 1218 women aged 60.812.7 years who participated in a study of aging carried out at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology between 2006 and 2008, using linguistically validated versions of the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-form (ICIQ-SF). ResultsThe prevalence of I-PSS 8 was 25.2% in men and 11.8% in women, that of two or more a week urinary incontinence was 3.3% and 6.6%, respectively, and that of I-PSS 8 and/or two or more a week urinary incontinence was 25.8% and 16.0%, respectively. The prevalence of the seven symptoms in I-PSS increased with aging. Just 9.1% of men and 4.6% of women who reported LUTS were medicated for LUTS. ConclusionsThe results showed that the severity of LUTS in Japan was related to aging. The prevalence of LUTS with I-PSS 8 in Japan is similar to that in other countries. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1010-1017.