The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical accuracy and correlation of standardized quality of life (QoL) and symptom score questionnaires in patients presenting with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). The study aimed to identify how clinical parameters, such as maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual (PVR) volume, correlate with patient-reported outcomes across different diagnostic categories, including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Overactive Bladder (OAB).

This cross-sectional study analyzed data among patients presenting with LUTS. Demographic data, including age, weight, and BMI, were recorded alongside clinical measurements such as Qmax, voided volume, and PVR. Patients were categorized into four diagnostic groups: BPH, OAB, combined BPH and OAB, and general LUTD. Symptom severity was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), OAB-V8, and ICIQ-UI SF questionnaires. Statistical analysis utilized Pearson correlation coefficients (r) to determine the relationship between clinical metrics and symptom scores.

The study population consisted of 220 patients, with a demographic profile showing a mean age of 62.67 years and a predominantly male distribution of 77%. Clinical assessments revealed a mean Qmax of 16.14 ml/s and a mean PVR of 39.86 ml. Regarding symptom distribution, most of the cohort fell into the moderate IPSS category at 57%, followed by 31% with severe symptoms and 12% with mild symptoms. Correlation analysis identified a strong negative relationship between Qmax and the IPSS Total score (r = -0.584), while PVR showed consistent positive correlations with all symptom scales, specifically r=0.301 for OAB-V8 and r=0.320 for ICIQ-UI SF. Diagnostic subgroup analysis indicated that patients with concurrent BPH and OAB suffered the lowest mean Qmax of 12.00 ml/s and the highest symptom burden with a mean IPSS of 20.64. Furthermore, patient-reported Quality of Life (QoL) was significantly impacted, with 63% of the total population reporting they were "Mixed," "Mostly dissatisfied," or "Unhappy" regarding their urinary health.

The results of this study underscore a significant physiological and psychological burden on patients suffering from LUTS. The strong negative correlation between Qmax and IPSS scores (r=-0.584) confirms that objective measures of urinary flow are highly reflective of the subjective distress experienced by the patient. This suggests that as the physical obstruction or functional voiding capacity worsens, the patient's perception of their symptoms scales linearly, validating the IPSS as a robust tool for clinical monitoring. The positive correlation between age and symptom severity (r ranging from 0.354 to 0.499) further suggests that LUTS is a progressive condition where both storage and voiding functions deteriorate over time, leading to lower QoL in older populations.
The most profound finding lies in the diagnostic subgroup analysis. Patients with a combined diagnosis of BPH and OAB exhibited the worst clinical and symptomatic profiles. This "double burden" of obstructive symptoms from BPH and irritative symptoms from OAB results in a mean QoL score of 4.21, which is significantly higher (indicating worse quality of life) than those with LUTD alone (2.82). This is likely because these patients suffer from both poor emptying and frequent, urgent storage issues, leading to the lowest observed Qmax in the study. The fact that 31% of the total population reported "severe" IPSS scores and 14% were "unhappy" with their condition highlights a clear need for targeted, early intervention in complex cases.

Standardized questionnaires like the IPSS and OAB-V8 provide an accurate reflection of clinical severity in LUTS patients. Patients with comorbid BPH and OAB represent the most symptomatic group and report the poorest quality of life, necessitating multifaceted therapeutic approaches. Integrating these questionnaires with clinical measurements allows for a more comprehensive assessment of patient health and treatment efficacy.

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