African Urology
Diabetes and the ageing bladder: impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus on lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men – a prospective observational study
By SK Plash, D Kaushal, R Joshi and 2 others.
Abstract
Introduction
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are frequent in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to autonomic neuropathy, microvascular injury, and bladder outlet obstruction. Understanding the correlation between diabetes severity and LUTS burden helps optimise management in elderly men.
Materials and methods
We conducted a prospective observational study of 1 813 elderly male patients with T2DM attending the urology and endocrinology outpatient clinics at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal between January 2022 and May 2024. Each participant completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and underwent uroflowmetry. Fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and diabetes duration were recorded. Patients were stratified by glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7%, 7–8.9%, ≥ 9%) and diabetes duration (< 5, 5–10, > 10 years). Correlations were analysed using Pearson’s r and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Human Ethics Committee, AIIMS Bhopal (IHEC-PGR/2022/DM-M.Ch/Jan/08), and informed patient consent was secured.