European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS (LUTS) AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG A SRI LANKAN POPULATION

Anurudda Udaya Bandara Pethiyagoda*, Kalyani Pethiyagoda , Keshani Nishadika, Charuni Danushika Ranasinghe and Sithara Nilmini Warnasooriya

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have become the main presentation of urology outpatients and a predominant urological condition among different age groups of men. As a very common exposure, alcohol consumption has been investigated in several studies to identify whether it played a role in the occurrence of LUTS related diseases. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted among patients with LUTS, at urology clinic, Teaching hospital, Peradeniya. Interview based questionnaire was performed with 309 patients to assess their demographic details and LUTS symptoms according to the IPSS. Results: In our study population, majority (52.3%) had moderate IPSS, followed by 35.4% with severe IPSS and only 12.3% having mild IPSS. Mean age of our study population was 61.69 years. When alcohol consumption is considered, our study population consisted of 10.2% patients who consume alcohol currently, 70.2% patients who are ex-alcoholic and 19.6% being non-alcoholic. In the analyses of LUTS based on alcohol drinking status, current alcohol drinkers showed lower average IPSS scores than nondrinkers. Considering the cohort of patients who consume alcohol currently, urgency and nocturia were the mostly reported symptoms regarding LUTS. Conclusions: New studies should be done over a large sample in different cultural and different geographical areas to get a more comprehensive understanding.

Keywords: LUTS, Alcohol consumption, Sri Lanka.