A new systematic review of evidence recommends the use of behavioral self-management treatments for common urinary issues experienced by upwards of 70 percent of older men. Common symptoms include trouble urinating, increased frequency and incontinence. These symptoms can have a substantial negative impact on sleep, social functioning and quality of life. Several guidelines recommend self-management techniques like health education, advice on fluid intake, and bladder retraining; however, in practice, self-management is often excluded from the menu of treatment options that include medication and surgery.
Researchers at Bond University's Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare found that self-management interventions reduced the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms. The reduction in symptoms appeared similar in groups receiving medications versus self-management interventions. However, compared with drugs alone, individuals who had both drug and self-management intervention experienced a small but meaningful reduction in symptom severity after six weeks. The authors recommend further research to determine the optimal components and delivery methods for self-management interventions so that these strategies can become standard options for men with lower urinary tract symptoms.
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Self-Management for Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Loai Albarqouni, MD, MSc, PhD, et al
Bond University, Queensland, Australia
https://www.annfammed.org/content/19/2/157
The Annals of Family Medicine