• Fei-Chi Chuang and Hann-Chorng Kuo.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2010 Mar 1; 109 (3): 228236228-36.

Background/PurposeTo investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), their impact on quality of life, and their association with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among indigenous and non-indigenous women in Eastern Taiwan.MethodsA total of 376 indigenous women and 509 non-indigenous women aged over 18 years were interviewed concerning LUTS in the recent 6 months using International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaires.ResultsIndigenous women had a higher prevalence of one or more LUTS than non-indigenous women (44.9%vs. 31.2%). Indigenous women had a significantly higher prevalence of urgency (7.7%vs. 4.3%, p = 0.024), straining to void (6.1%vs. 3.3%, p = 0.036), and nocturia (37.2%vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001) than non-indigenous women. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of impaired quality of life between indigenous and non-indigenous women (33.8%vs. 31.2%). Lower educational level, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and cigarette smoking, and not difference in race, had significant effect on a higher prevalence of bothersome LUTS in indigenous women than non-indigenous women.ConclusionIndigenous women with lower educational level and specific lifestyle risk factors have a higher prevalence of LUTS than non-indigenous women in Taiwan.2010 Formosan Medical Association & Elsevier. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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