Martin SA, Tully PJ, Kahokehr AA, Jay A, Wittert GA. The bidirectional association between depression and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Neurourol Urodyn. 2022 Jan 12. doi: 10.1002/nau.24868. Online ahead of print.PMID: 35019156 Review.
Contact: Sean Martin

Recent evidence from observational studies suggests a bidirectional association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and depression in men. We sought to systematically quantify the effect of the presence of LUTS on depression symptoms, compared to those without LUTS, in adult males, and vice versa.

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Embase) were examined for articles in English before March 2021. Observational studies of men aged over 18 years; reporting an association between LUTS and depression; including a validated scale for LUTS and depression symptoms were eligible for study inclusion.

It was found that the strong relationship observed between LUTS and depression implies shared risk factors that cannot be solely attributed to the prostate. This has immediate implications for future studies and the assessment and management of patients with either condition.