Objective: The lack of knowledge on the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in German-speaking countries prompted us to assess this issue in Austria by means of a large open-scale study.
Methods: A community sample of 2,096 men equal to or older than 20 years, who participated in a health survey in Vienna, completed the recently validated German translation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). In addition, a detailed urological history and a physical evaluation (including digital rectal examination) were obtained.
Results: The mean age in the study population was 47 +/- 14 (range 20-96) years. The mean IPSS increased from 2.1 (20-29 years, n = 128) to 2.6 (30-39, n = 322), 3.0 (40-49, n = 902), 5.8 (50-59, n = 325), 5.7 (60-69, n = 219), 6.4 (70-79, n = 158), and 6.1 (>/=80 years, n = 42). The proportion of patients with moderate/severe LUTS defined by an IPSS >7 increased from 6.3% (20-29 years) to 8.4 (30-39), 11.1 (40-49), 27.1 (50-59), 28.3 (60-69), 36 (70-79), and 35.7% (>/=80 years). Overall, 7.8% of the men aged >/=50 years previously underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. In men aged 50-59 years, this proportion was 1.3%, and it increased to 4.2, 20.9, and 27.5% in those aged 60-69, 70-79, and >/=80 years, respectively. 7% of the men had previously consulted an urologist for micturition problems. In all life decades, these patients had higher IPSS levels than those with no previous urological visit.
Conclusions: Based on the data generated, it is estimated that at present in Austria 26.9% (n = 291,761) of the men aged >/=50 years have moderate and further 2.8% (n = 30,815) severe LUTS. 7.8% of the men aged >/=50 years (n = 84,256) had a previous transurethral resection of the prostate. These data confirm the high prevalence of this condition in Austria.