Risk Factors for Progression or Improvement of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in a Prospective Cohort of Men

Purpose: We determined the metabolic, lifestyle and physical factors associated with progression or improvement of storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms in a population based cohort of men. Materials and Methods: After the exclusion of men with prostate or bladder cancer and/or surgery from the study, progression and improvement of storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms was assessed using the AUA-SI (American Urological Association symptom index) in 780 men, age 35 to 80 years at baseline, who attended 5-year followup clinics. Results: Storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms progressed in 39.8% (308) and 32.3% (250) of men, and improved in 33.1% (256) and 23.4% (181), respectively. In final adjusted regression models greater bother and physical activity at baseline predicted improvement in storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms, while greater income, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower triglycerides predicted improvement of storage lower urinary tract symptoms only. Being widowed, higher plasma estradiol and depression at baseline predicted the progression of storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms, while greater abdominal fat mass and obstructive sleep apnea risk predicted the progression of storage lower urinary tract symptoms only. Older age, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, testosterone, income, previous benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction at baseline predicted the progression of voiding lower urinary tract symptoms only. The initiation or continued use of alpha-blockers or anticholinergics (storage lower urinary tract symptoms), and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (voiding lower urinary tract symptoms), were associated with symptom improvement. Conclusions: Lower urinary tract symptoms may progress or remit. Even accounting for medication use, progression may be associated with modifiable disease, or metabolic or behavioral factors, which are also risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These factors should be looked for and managed.