Background. We aimed to evaluate the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) male patient versus control, then to determine the relation of LUTS with rheumatic diseases (RD) characteristics and with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional case control study including 50 men with RA or SpA and 50 healthy controls. LUTS were evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). LUTS bother was evaluated by the Quality of life (QoL) score, which ranges from 0 to 6. LUTS bother was considered if QoL score exceeded 2. Moreover, erectile function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF5) (ED if score < 21).
Results. LUTS were significantly more severe in RD patients than controls (p = 0.03). However, there was no difference between the two groups in LUTS bother (QoL) (p = 0.2). Comparing RA and SpA showed no difference as to the severity of LUTS or effect of bother on QoL (p = 0.13, p = 0.5). The prevalence of ED in RD patients was not significantly higher than controls (80% versus 70%; p = 0.2).There were also no differences either between RA and SpA groups (p = 0.74).
The severity of LUTS for patients with RD (RA and SpA) was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), age at disease onset (p = 0.002) and ED (p = 0.008).
Conclusion. According to our study, men with RD seem to be exposed to more severe LUTS than controls. Also, the severity of LUTS was associated with ED, age of patients and the age of disease onset.
