Predictors of the international prostate symptoms scores for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: A descriptive cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) can significantly reduce men's quality of life and may point to serious pathology of the urogenital tract. This study aimed at finding predictors of symptoms score on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for patients with LUTS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was cross-sectional conducted among 225 Ghanaian men visiting the urology clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Trained interviewers used the IPSS, which adds a quality of life question to the American Urology Association symptom index to determine the extent to which patients are troubled by their symptoms. Five milliliters of blood was collected for total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the prostate volume (PV). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 67.96 ± 14.57. The average score obtained from the study participants using the IPSS scale was 17.52 ± 7.83. There was a significant association between bother score and IPSS symptoms grade (P < 0.0001). Regression plot of the participants' points for IPSS in relation to the age, PSA, and PV showed statistically significant positive associations (P < 0.05). However, the coefficients of determination (R(2)) were 0.156, 0.022, and 0.048, respectively. This means that each unit increase of age, PSA, and PV only influences 15.6%, 2.3%, and 4.8% of the change in the symptom score. There was statistically significant association between age and moderate-to-severe LUTS with age range of 75 years above recording the highest odds (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 18.72, (1.15–99.78), P < 0.0001). The PSA range 20.1–50 ng/ml was significantly associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS (AOR = 17.37 (2.19–223.45), P = 0.006). Moreover, other factors, which were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS, were smoking (AOR = 0.32 (0.11–0.94) P = 0.038) and being widowed (AOR = 0.05 (0.002–0.52), P =0.010) respectively. CONCLUSION: The study found a statistically significant correlation between age, PSA, PV, and IPSS scores; however, these influences were mild.