Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among Australian men.
Fewer than 20% of men aged under 45 years’ experience LUTS. Almost half of all men aged 65–79 years, and 70% of men aged 80 years or over, have LUTS1.
Many men endure LUTS in stoic silence due to feelings of embarrassment or shame, and ultimately present with complications including urinary retention, poor quality of life, mental health and relationship problems, or even advanced prostate cancer2.
Assessing a man’s urinary symptoms is very individualised and may be subjective. One man having to pass urine 3-4 times overnight might be a terrible night for some, whereas it could be a good night for others.
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire is a validated tool for assessing LUTS3 that can be accessed online.
The IPSS identifies how bothersome LUTS is to the man, which is a suitable indicator to gauge the actual concern of their symptoms.
Nurses in primary care are well positioned to assist with managing patients who present with urological issues by utilising validated tools like the IPSS and providing education about pharmaceutical or surgical treatment options.
It is important for nurses to provide the most appropriate forms of education and information, or appropriate referral, to a patient based on their clinical and personal needs.
