Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in indigenous and non-indigenous women in Eastern Taiwan.

A total of 376 indigenous women and 509 non-indigenous women aged over 18 years were interviewed concerning LUTS in the recent 6 months using International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaires. Indigenous women had a higher prevalence of one or more LUTS than non-indigenous women (44.9%vs. 31.2%). Indigenous women had a significantly higher prevalence of urgency (7.7%vs. 4.3%, p = 0.024), straining to void (6.1%vs. 3.3%, p = 0.036), and nocturia (37.2%vs. 24.8%, p < 0.001) than non-indigenous women. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of impaired quality of life between indigenous and non-indigenous women (33.8%vs. 31.2%). Lower educational level, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and cigarette smoking, and not difference in race, had significant effect on a higher prevalence of bothersome LUTS in indigenous women than non-indigenous women. Indigenous women with lower educational level and specific lifestyle risk factors have a higher prevalence of LUTS than non-indigenous women in Taiwan. To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), their impact on quality of life, and their association with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among indigenous and non-indigenous women in Eastern Taiwan.