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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
In a free healthcare system, why do men not consult for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)?
U Chong Lai1, Yuk Tsan Wun, Tze Chao Luo
1Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. ytwun@hotmail.com.
Background:
The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) varies among different populations but the rate of seeking medical advice is consistently low. Little is known about the reasons for this low rate. In the city of Macau, China, primary healthcare is free and easily accessible to all citizens. We aim to study the patients' rate of consulting for LUTS and their reasons for not consulting under a free healthcare system.
Method:
A convenience sample of 549 male patients aged 40-85 years in a government health centre filled in the International Prostate Symptoms Scale (IPSS) questionnaire. They were also asked if they had consulted doctors for LUTS, and if not, why not.
Result:
Of the whole sample, 64 men (11.7%) had ever consulted doctors for LUTS. Of 145 with moderate to severe LUTS, 35 (24.1%) consulted. Of 73 who were dissatisfied with their quality of life, 22 (30.1%) consulted. Regarding the symptoms as normal or not problematic was the main reason for not consulting. Advancing age and duration of symptoms were the significant factors for consulting.
Conclusion:
Primary care doctors could help many of LUTS patients by sensitively initiating the discussion when these patients consult for other problems.
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