Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science

Korean society of Biological Nursing Science (한국기초간호학회)
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Relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and disease activity among women with systemic lupus erythematosus in Korea: a cross-sectional study

  • Hyo Jeong Song (College of Nursing, Health and Nursing Research Institute, Jeju National University) ;
  • Young-Joo Kim (Department of Urology, Jeju National University) ;
  • Jinseok Kim (Department of Rheumatology, Jeju National University)
  • Received : 2025.01.18
  • Accepted : 2025.02.09
  • Published : 2025.02.28
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Abstract

Purpose: Bladder involvement in the disease course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon; in fact, it has been shown that patients with SLE have lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) than the general population. This study aimed to identify LUTS and the relationship between LUTS and disease activity among women with SLE. Methods: This cross-sectional study used structured self-administered questionnaires. We recruited 110 women with SLE from the outpatient clinic of a university hospital between January and August of 2020. LUTS was assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score, and disease activity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire. Results: Fifty-seven women (51.8%) reported urinary incontinence (UI), while 53 (48.2%) reported no UI. The mean LUTS score was 7.75 ± 5.74 (range 0-35). The scores for the seven LUTS components (range 0-5) were as follows: frequency (1.51 ± 1.48), nocturia (1.46 ± 1.07), urgency (1.27 ± 1.35), incomplete emptying (1.09 ± 1.15), intermittency (0.97 ± 1.27), weak stream (0.94 ± 1.04), and straining (0.51 ± 0.91). LUTS were positively correlated with the disease activity of SLE (r = .48, p < .001), indicating that higher LUTS scores were associated with severe disease activity. Conclusion: The prevalence of UI was high, and LUTS (frequency, nocturia, and urgency) were common. Therefore, regular assessment and appropriate management of UI and LUTS among women with SLE are necessary, and it is also essential to keep the disease activity of SLE at a low level due to the positive relationship between disease activity and LUTS.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the 2023 scientific promotion program funded by Jeju National University.

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