CORRELATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS IN KASHMIRI WOMEN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Globally, LUTS prevalence rates among adults are typically estimated to be above 50%. Although a direct cause-effect relationship between obesity and incontinence has not yet been established, there is evidence that weight reduction might be beneficial to obese incontinent women. Relation of body mass index (BMI) with lower urinary tract symptoms has not been adequately studied and the various aspects of this association have not been reviewed. The literature is so far lacking enough studies that could verify obvious or expected associations between body mass index and lower urinary tract symptoms remains obscure, most researches recommended further studies in the field.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a relation between body mass index (BMI) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Kashmiri women, followed by an examination of the relationship between the magnitude of weight loss and

improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 138 patients and were divided into two groups according to BMI (non-obese <30 and obese ≥30). The next part of the study included 84 obese patients who had a BMI ≥of 30 and were advised to follow a strict plan for the next year, to produce an average weight loss of >5% of initial body weight by 12months. At 12 months, women in the intervention group had a mean weight loss from baseline of >5% compared with ≤5% in the control group (p <0.001).

RESULTS: The mean age of patients in our study was 43.2+11.32 years. The mean BMI was 31.2+4.63kg/m2. In the first part of the study, it was seen that patients with BMI ≥30 had increased incidence of irritative LUTS (nocturia, urgency, urge incontinence ) with statistically significant P-value (<0.001, 0.036, 0.025 respectively). The second part of the study showed There was an improvement in irritative LUTS viz nocturia, urgency, urge incontinence with statistically significant P-value (0.026, 0.012, 0.041 respectively) in the>5% weight reduction group.

CONCLUSION: From the present study it can be concluded that the incidence and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is higher in female patients with higher BMI compared to those with normal expected BMI. Lifestyle modification in the form of appropriate diet and physical activity can result in a significant improvement in irritative LUTS in these patients.