Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated bother of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), especially of urgency and other storage symptoms, since these are generally assumed to be underdiagnosed/undertreated in men. Methods: Data on bladder condition of men ≥ 40 years were prospectively collected by 124 general practitioners (GPs) during a regular visit for any reason, using the validated ICIQ-MLUTS questionnaire. For 13 symptoms, prevalence (scale 0-4) and bother (scale 0-10) were scored. General bladder-related quality of life (scale 0-3) was also assessed. Results: Data from 5890 men (mean age: 61.2 years) were analysed. A total of 7.7% had urgency most or all of the time (score ≥ 3) and 6.2% had bothersome urgency (score ≥ 3 + bother score ≥ 5). Nocturia (69.2%) and urgency (58.3%) were the most prevalent and bothersome symptoms. Both prevalence and bother of all LUTS increased with age. Additionally, 28.9% of men reported to be a little bothered by their bladder condition in everyday life, while 11.9% were bothered a lot/very much (2.5% in age group 40-49 years increasing to 29.2% in those > 80 years). Conclusions: In the general population of men ≥ 40 years who visited a GP for any reason, 41% indicated to be at least a little bothered by their bladder condition. The prevalence of LUTS, especially nocturia and urgency, is high and a significant number of men indicated to be seriously bothered. Increasing awareness of male LUTS, and storage symptoms in particular, is warranted to discuss management options that could increase quality of life. What's known LUTS in men are common and increase with age; however, prevalence rates in studies vary upon the definitions used. Male LUTS are still too often attributed to the prostate only, thereby focusing on voiding symptoms and disregarding storage symptoms. In addition, the burden of LUTS and particularly storage symptoms remains relatively unrecognised. What's new A validated questionnaire, not biased towards voiding symptoms, was used to assess presence and bother of LUTS in men. More than 4 of 10 men were at least a little bothered by their bladder condition. Nocturia and urgency were the most prevalent and bothersome symptoms. Although bother related to LUTS was mild at the population level, the ICIQ-MLUTS was able to identify a subgroup of men seriously bothered by LUTS.
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