Aim. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent and costly condition
worldwide. Numerous studies have demonstrated their negative impact on health-related
quality of life (HRQL), as well as on physical and mental health. The co-existence of LUTS
and psychiatric symptoms is common and has been described by psychiatrists, urologists and
gynecologists. However, data are lacking regarding the perception of urological symptoms
by psychiatrists in their day-to-day clinical practice.
Methods. 31-question survey was designed to learn what is the perception of LUTS among
psychiatrists. Survey link was sent by email to all psychiatrists registered to the Polish Association
of Psychiatry via the association’s email lists. The SurveyMonkey website was used
as a platform where responses were collected and stored. Results. 953 physicians completed the questionnaire. Majority of investigated psychiatrists
only ‘occasionally’ ask their patients about voiding dysfunctions. Respondents estimated the
frequency of voiding dysfunctions in their patients as ‘moderately frequent’ with a ‘10–30%’
prevalence. However, discrepancies between different subgroups of psychiatrists have been
noted. Furthermore, psychiatrists may not be fully aware of the effects of psychiatric treatment
(psychotherapy/pharmacotherapy) on LUTS improvement, as well as possible deteriorations
of voiding dysfunctions with psychiatric disorder progression.
Conclusions. This survey showed that the perception of urological symptoms by psychiatrists
in their patients may be limited. Therefore, it is necessary to adequately inform and
educate psychiatrists in terms of the impact of urological symptoms on patients’ management,
prognosis and quality of life.
keywords in Polish:
objawy z dolnego odcinka dróg moczowych, objawy urologiczne, zespół nadaktywnego pęcherza, psychiatrzy, pacjenci psychiatryczni