The coexistence of low back pain and lower urinary tract symptoms in men affects physical functioning

The course of low back pain (LBP) may be influenced by comorbidities, including lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This study aimed to explore the impact of the coexistence of LBP and LUTS on physical functioning, quality of life, sleep quality, comorbidities and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in men.

Men aged 40 years and older were invited by their health care professional or social media and websites to participate in a cross-sectional survey. LUTS severity and bother (ICIQ-MLUTS), physical functioning (PROMIS-PF-10), physical and mental health (PROMIS-GH-10), symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21-R), presence of comorbidities, and sleep quality (PSQI) were evaluated.

Sixty-three men entered the survey, with 57 respondents (mean age = 58 years, sd = 12) completing the LBP and LUTS questionnaires and 49 the entire survey. LBP was present in 52 respondents, and severity of LUTS was mild (n = 41), moderate (n = 13), or severe (n = 3). The models revealed that physical functioning was better explained by including both LUTS severity (R² = 0.31) and LBP, rather than LBP (R² = 0.23) or LUTS severity alone (R² = 0.18). Bother due to LUTS and LBP was also associated with reduced physical functioning (R² = 0.29) and health (R² = 0.31).

Physical limitations are affected by the coexistence of LBP and LUTS. Mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and other comorbidities were not. Health care professionals should assess LUTS when treating men with LBP, and LBP when treating men with LUTS.