Psychological Distress and Urinary Symptom Severity in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Care

ABSTRACT Lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia may negatively affect psychological well‐being, yet psychological symptoms are rarely assessed in routine urological care. This study examines the prevalence of self‐reported depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and their association with urinary symptom severity among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia in Vietnam. A multicentre cross‐sectional study was conducted among 317 outpatients receiving medical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia at six healthcare facilities in Da Nang, Vietnam. Data were collected using the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21 items, a self‐report measure of symptom severity. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptom scores above the normal range were observed in 16.7%, 31.5%, and 18.0% of participants, respectively. Urinary symptom severity was significantly associated with all three outcomes (all p < 0.001) and remained independently associated with depression ( β = 0.275), anxiety ( β = 0.198), and stress ( β = 0.270). Elevated anxiety symptoms were common among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and all three symptom scores were associated with urinary symptom severity. Urological nurses should be aware that greater urinary symptom burden may coexist with higher levels of self‐reported psychological symptoms. Further research is needed to determine whether nurse‐led psychological assessment and referral improve patient outcomes.