KF Quek, CS Loh, WY Low, AH Razack, CB Chua
Correspondence: A/Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, lowwy@ummc.edu.my
ABSTRACT
Objectives This study examined the effects of treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on the health-related quality of life (physical/functional, mental, social and global aspect), pain and prostatic symptoms.
Patients and Methods The study consisted of 123 LUTS patients on medical treatment (alpha blockers) and 52 who underwent surgical treatment (TURP). The patients were assessed one week before and three months after medical and surgical treatment by using the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL-20), the Visual Analogue Scale of Pain (VAS), the Present Pain Intensity (PPI) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) inventories and questionnaires.
Results Prior to treatment, the surgically treated patients were found to suffer more pain, severe prostatic symptoms, bothersomeness and deterioration in health-related quality of life than the medically treated patients. Postoperatively, the surgical group showed a significant reduction and improvement in all aspects of pain, prostatic symptoms, bothersomeness and overall health-related quality of life, as compared with the medication group. The mean ages of the surgical and medical treated groups were 69.56 years (SD=7.94 years) and 64.62 years (SD=7.94 years) respectively.
Conclusion The result showed that operative procedure had significantly improved the overall health-related quality of life of LUTS patients compared to those on medical treatment.
Keywords: lower urinary tract symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life, Present Pain Intensity, Visual Analogue Scale, International Prostate Symptom Score
Singapore Med J 2002; 43(8): 391-398
