The change of IPSS 7 (nocturia) score has the maximum influence on the change of Qol score in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the factors affecting lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS)-related quality-of-life (Qol) scores and the change in the Qol scores following treatment. METHODS: This pooled data analysis study collected the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) with Qol score from five studies which evaluated the change in the IPSS after medication for LUTS. Post-treatment IPSS with Qol scores were measured at 3 months after the initiation of medication. RESULTS: The mean age of 444 men was 62.5 ± 8.5 years. The mean IPSS total and Qol score at baseline were 18.6 ± 6.7 points and 4.0 ± 0.9 points, respectively. Each IPSS item score, except IPSS 3, was found to be an independent factor that had an influence on baseline Qol scores, with IPSS 7 (nocturia) showing the most significant correlation. After 3 months' medication, IPSS total and Qol score were significantly decreased to 11.7 ± 6.4 (p < 0.001) and 2.9 ± 1.2 points (p < 0.001), respectively. On multivariate analysis, the improvements in IPSS item 2, 4, 5, and 7 scores were found to be independent factors that had an influence on the improvement in Qol scores. The improvement in IPSS 7 had maximum influence on the improvement in Qol score. Among men with a decrease in total IPSS score by 5 or more points but without improvement in nocturia, Qol was not improved in one-third of them. CONCLUSIONS: Storage symptoms had a greater influence on QoL scores than voiding symptoms. The improvement in nocturia after treatment was the most important factor for the improvement in Qol.