Relationship Between Lifestyle, Health Factors, and Severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Amongst Men Living in Southeast Nigeria

Background Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) refer to a group of symptoms related to the storage and voiding of urine that comprises storage, voiding, and post-micturition symptoms affecting the lower urinary tract, and the prevalence in men in our society is on the rise as a result of an increase in the life expectancy. This study investigates the relationship between lifestyle, health factors, and severity of LUTS amongst men living in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Method A cross-sectional study of 389 men aged 42-96 years was conducted. The severity of LUTS was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Health factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, body mass index, and others were examined using the chi-square test. Results Out of the 389 participants enrolled in the study, the mean age was 69.21 ± 9.683 years. Nocturia was the most reported symptom in 337 participants. Over half of the respondents (212) experienced severe symptoms, while 152 (39.1%) reported moderate issues, and 25 (6.4%) had mild symptoms. Mean values were as follows: prostate volume of 69.62 ± 34.82 g, post-void residual urine of 52.72 ± 14.96 mL, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 23.42 ± 28.78 ng/mL. Using the chi-square test, significant associations were found between LUTS severity and age (x²=37.454; p≤0.001), diet (x²=16.341; p=0.003), BMI (x²=21.152; p=0.002), diabetes mellitus (x²=7.690; p=0.021), prostate volume (x²=22.001; p≤0.001), and post-void residual urine (x²=10.779; p=0.005). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and clinical parameters in predicting LUTS severity. These findings can inform prevention and management strategies for LUTS.