Distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult women. Andrades M
, Paul R
, Ambreen A
, Dodani S
, Dhanani RH
, Qidwai W
.
Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. marie. Andrades@aku.edu
Objectives:
To determine the distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms in adult women and the frequency with which the women consulted a health care provider for their symptoms.
Design:
Cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Community Health Center of Aga Khan University Hospital from November 1st to 30th, 2002.
SUBJECTS AND
Methods:
A trained interviewer administered a structured questionnaire to women patients or attendants aged 18 years and older coming to the center.
Results:
Fifty-two percent of the study subjects reported having at least one or more urinary complaints in the past. Stress incontinence was the highest reported complaint (38.4%) followed by burning (34.4%), frequency (26%), painful micturition (20.4%), urge incontinence (18.8 %), incomplete emptying of bladder (14.4%), dribbling (12.4%) and poor stream (8.4%). Forty-three percent of the women with LUTS never consulted a health care provider for their problem.
Conclusion:
Although the distribution of LUTS among females was found to be high, the patients did not consider it important enough to consult a health care provider. There is a need to create awareness among females regarding LUTS and the need to consult a health care provider for their problems.
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