Association of lower urinary tract symptoms with body mass index in women attending gynecology clinic in a tertiary care center in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a very prevalent condition worldwide, including Nepal. Among several risk factors, body mass index (BMI) has also been attributed to its development. We intended to see if a high BMI is associated with LUTS in our population.

Methodology: An observational analytical study was conducted among 246 women who attended the gynaecologic clinic of a tertiary care center in Kathmandu, Nepal. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, gynecological and characteristics pertaining to LUTS were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study sample. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to find the association of BMI with LUTS.

Results: The incidence of LUTS was 43.5%. Frequency (22.3%) was the most common subtype followed by urgency (20.14%) and nocturia (17.9%). Obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m²) had 1.72 (1.12-2.65; p= 0.01) times the probability of having LUTS than  those with a normal or low BMI (BMI <25kg/m²).

Conclusion: LUTS was very common in women presenting to the gynecological clinic in our tertiary care center. Frequency was the commonest symptom. High BMI was found to be strongly associated with presence of LUTS.