Lower urinary tract symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome

To investigate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to evaluate risk factors associated with the psychiatric morbidity of these patients.

The study group included 52 female patients with a diagnosis of IBS. Fifty-five women without gastrointestinal symptoms were used as controls. LUTS were evaluated using the American Urological Association Symptom Index questionnaire. Psychiatric morbidity was evaluated using a 12-item version of the Chinese Health Questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with psychiatric morbidity in IBS patients.

There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the demographic variables. The most common LUTS in patients with IBS were storage symptoms. These patients had significantly higher scores of frequency, nocturia, urge incontinence, lower maximal flow rate and lower voiding volume (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher storage and total American Urological Association Symptom Index questionnaire scores were also noted in IBS patients (P < 0.05). The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in IBS patients was 28.8%, which was significantly higher than in the control group (20%). The urinary storage symptom score (odds ratio: 1.518; 95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.96; P = 0.002) was significantly correlated with psychiatric morbidity.

LUTS are common in IBS patients and have a negative impact on their psychiatric status. Healthcare providers should be aware of the psychological consequences of LUTS in these patients.