OBJECTIVETo evaluate the epidemiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men and women, as there are significant unanswered questions about the prevalence and impact of LUTS in different populations. SUBJECTS AND METHODSA population-based, cross-sectional survey was completed in Boxmeer (the Netherlands), Auxerre (France), Birmingham (UK) and Seoul (Republic of Korea), using culturally and linguistically validated versions of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The aim was to estimate the distribution of symptoms of LUTS in men and women. Stratified random samples of men aged 40-79 years in each community were collected. Postal questionnaires were used in Europe and direct interviews in Korea. RESULTSIn all, 4979 index men and 3790 women were recruited, with age-adjusted response rates among men of 72% in Boxmeer, 28% in Auxerre, 60% in Birmingham and 68% in Seoul. The percentages of men and women with an IPSS of 8-35, indicating moderate to severe symptoms, were, respectively, 20.7 and 18.0 (Boxmeer); 19.2 and 12.6 (Auxerre); 25.1 and 23.7 (Birmingham); 16.2 and 19.9 (Seoul). Among women the relationship between symptoms and age was not as strong as in men. The percentages of men and women with moderate to severe symptoms were by age group, respectively, 10. 6, 15.5 (40-49); 19.0, 18.2 (50-59); 30.5, 23.8 (60-69); 40.4, 28.7 (70-79). Among those aged 40-49 the main differences between men and women were in the questions about frequency of urination during the day and holding back urine. Among the older groups men reported more symptoms on all questions apart from urination at night and difficulty in holding back urine, both of which were equally prevalent among men and women. CONCLUSIONSThe overall prevalence of LUTS was high and showed no marked cultural variation. Prevalence increased with age, with severe LUTS commoner in older men. Women reported similar levels of the symptoms The topics covered in this section relate to areas of considerable interest for urologists everywhere. The UrEpik study is introduced in the 'Comments' section and the results of the study will appear in a series of papers published over the next few months. They will give a new insight into many aspects of LUTS.Authors from London investigate the place of urodynamics in the evaluation of patients with symptoms of overactive bladder. They found that patients with such symptoms and with apparently normal urodynamic findings often respond equally well to antimuscarinic therapy as do those with positive urodynamic findings.They indicate that these findings cast doubt on the value of urodynamics in such patients before treatment.Authors from North America address the problem of mixed urinary incontinence. They examined the efficacy of tolterodine in patients with this condition and compared it with patients having urge incontinence alone. They found that it was equally effective in reducing leakage and other symptoms of overactive bladder in patients with mixed incontinence as in urge incontinence alone.traditiona...

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on quality of life (QoL) and to determine its extent across a variety of cultures, and the confounding effects of self-reported comorbidities and demographics. SUBJECTS AND METHODSData were obtained from two populationbased studies in five cities: UREPIK (Boxmeer, the Netherlands; Auxerre, France; Birmingham, UK; and Seoul, Korea) and the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) study (Boston, USA). UREPIK used stratified random samples of men aged 40-79 years. BACH used a multistage stratified cluster sample to randomly select adults aged 40-79 years. QoL was assessed using a standard Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 12 (SF-12, mental and physical health component scores); LUTS was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The association between QoL and IPSS, associated illnesses, and lifestyle factors was investigated using weighted regression. RESULTSThe UREPIK studied 4800 men aged 40-79 years; BACH recruited 1686 men aged 40-79 years. The prevalence of LUTS, defined as an IPSS of ≥ 8, varied by city ( P < 0.001), with Auxerre reporting a prevalence ( SE ) of 18.1 (1.2)%, Birmingham 25.6 (1.5)%, Boston 25.1 (1.6)%, Boxmeer 21.2 (1.3)%, and Seoul 19.0 (1.2)%. Overall, this was similar to the In a large epidemiological study, authors investigated the effect of LUTS on quality of life among various cultures. They showed a close association between the two, and that the effect of having moderate symptoms has a similar effect on quality of life as diabetes, hypertension or cancer, and that having severe symptoms had a similar effect as a heart attack or stroke.

population registers to provide representative samples of the population of men aged 40-79 years (and their partners) in each community. Direct interviews were held in Seoul and postal questionnaires used in the three European centres. The samples were selected randomly, providing representative samples in each community. RESULTSIn all, 4800 men and 3674 women responded; the response rates among men were 77% in Boxmeer, 21% in Auxerre, 42% in Birmingham and 65% in Seoul. The overall prevalence of ED for men aged 40-79, estimated as an ED score of 0-4, was 21.1%. There was evidence of a linear increase with age ( P < 0.001) and the pattern was very similar in the four centres. From the weighted logistic model, there was evidence of an association between sexual dysfunction, other self-reported diseases and lifestyle. From the ED score, after adjusting for age and country, men with diabetes were more likely to score of 0-4 (odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.09-2.25), as were those with high blood pressure (1.38, 1.09-1.75) and with an IPSS of 8-35 (1.39, 1.10-1.74). For lifestyle, smokers were more likely to score 0-4 (1.54, 1.23-1.92), while physical activity during leisure time was slightly associated with a reduction in the chance of scoring 0-4 (0.87, 0.77-0.99). The analysis gave the same results when repeated using self-reported ED instead of the dichotomised score. CONCLUSIONSED is clearly age-related and a problem for a large proportion of men in the community. It can have a profound impact on the quality of life of the man and on his partner. Were all men with this problem to seek medical help there would be a large burden on healthcare systems. There are cultural and age effects on the assessment of this problem.

various published official sources were used to calculate total costs per patient by stage for each country, from a payer's perspective. Diagnostic costs, first surgery, radio-, chemoand hormonal therapy costs were included. Costs were aggregated for incident cases. RESULTSThe mean direct costs per patient for initial treatment were € 3698 in Germany, € 3256 in Spain, € 3682 in the UK, € 5226 in Italy and € 5851 in France. The total costs for all diagnosed patients in the first year from diagnosis were (million € ) 116.7 (UK), 244 (Germany), 385 (France), 202 (Italy) and 114.6 (Spain).