Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and determinants of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), in male expatriate workers in Qatar and to assess the impact of LUTS on the quality of life (QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 570 male expatriate workers aged 20 to 63 years, mostly of Indian origin (87%), were interviewed orally by trained interviewers. The International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire was used for the assessment of LUTS and QoL. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 40 years (SD 9.2). Overall, 52% of the study population reported at least one urinary symptom. The most frequent symptom was nocturia (31%,) and the most infrequent straining (11%). Twenty-one percent of the men had moderate or severe LUTS (IPSS score > 7). The prevalence of storage symptoms was significantly higher than that of voiding symptoms in all age groups. LUTS was not associated with nationality, smoking, or body mass index. Men with diabetes (OR= 1.4, 95% CI 0.8-2.3) or hypertension (OR= 1.4, 95% CI 0.8-2.3) were slightly at higher risk of LUTS, than those without diabetes or hypertension. Men with moderate (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 2.3-7.4) or severe LUTS (OR = 12.8, 95% CI 4.6-36.0), had poorer quality of life, compared to those with no or mild symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract symptoms, especially storage symptoms, are common in young male expatriates in Qatar. LUTS has a strong negative impact on the quality of life.