Study predicts rise in global lower urinary tract problems; Europe to report lowest numbers
Around 2.3 billion adults worldwide could potentially suffer from at least 1 less urinary tract symptom by 2018, new research suggests. The study, to be presented in the October issue of the British Journal of Urology International (BJUI), demonstrates how the number of people aged 20 and over that are affected by urinary and bladder symptoms represents an 18% jump in the last 10 years. Europe, however, will report the lesser increase in number of cases compared with other regions around the globe. Researchers in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States say the cases of urinary and bladder problems worldwide continue to grow. 'Our study suggests that urinary and bladder symptoms are already highly prevalent worldwide and that these rates will increase significantly as the population ages,' explains lead author Dr Debra E. Irwin from the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina in the United States. 'These findings raise a number of important worldwide issues that will need to be tackled, as a matter of urgency, by clinicians and public health experts if we are to prevent, and manage, these conditions.' The researchers used information from the US Census Bureau International Database and the EPIC study, a population-based survey of more than 19,000 men and women in 5 countries, to investigate whether urinary tract problems and other issues including incontinence will intensify in the years to come. Using the International Continence Society's current symptom definitions, the team's estimates for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI) and LUTS suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction (LUTS/BOO) focus specifically on two years: 2013 and 2018. 'It is well known that people do not always seek medical attention for urinary problems, so basing our figures on studies using self-reported symptoms is an effective way of measuring worldwide prevalence,' Dr Irwin says. A breakdown of their analysis shows that the global prevalence of LUTS will likely jump to just under 46% by 2018, impacting 47% of women and 45% of men. The estimates show that for the period 2008-2018, the number of people suffering from at least 1 LUTS will increase by 18%; the largest rise is expected to be seen in Africa (30%), followed by South America (20.5%), Asia (20%), North America (16%) and Europe (2.5%). OAB is expected to grow by 20% between 2008 and 2018, affecting 546 million people. Africa (31%), South America (22%) and Asia (22%) round out the three largest numbers of prevalence, while North America (18%) and Europe (4%) rank fourth and fifth. UI is projected to rise by 22% between 2008 and 2018, affecting around 423 million people, with Africa posting the biggest jump (31%) and Europe the smallest (5%). LUTS/BOO is expected to grow by 18.5% during that 10-year period. Africa (30%) will rank first, while Europe (3%) will rank fifth. 'We believe that our study underlines the clear and urgent need to improve the awareness, prevention, diagnosis and management of these conditions,' Dr Irwin says. 'International and national programmes that increase public awareness, educate clinicians and implement public health campaigns that tackle the social stigma of LUTS, will be a significant step towards reaching this objective. These public health programmes would need to be adapted by region, because countries often differ in their healthcare resources, treatment guidelines and social perceptions.'For more information, please visit: BJUI: http://www.bjui.org/default.aspx University of North Carolina: http://www.northcarolina.edu/
Countries
Sweden, United Kingdom