Suen Lorna Kwai Ping, Cheng Hui Lin, Yeung Simon Kai Wang, Au-Yeung Cypher Ho, Lee Jillianne Chi Yen, Ho Kathy Kit Ying, Lau Natalie Ming Yan, Ng Cristina Ka Fu, Chan Iris Wai Sze
School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic Univeristy, HungHom, Hong Kong.
Ambulatory Surgery Centre, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hong Kong.
PLoS One. 2017 Oct 30;12(10):e0187085. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187085. eCollection 2017.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) comprise a highly prevalent chronic condition among the aging male population. Existing literature on the experiences of men with LUTS is scarce given that only a few studies explored medical care-seeking behaviors and coping strategies. The current understanding of the experiences of elderly males with LUTS is considerably limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the experiences of living with moderate-to-severe LUTS among community-dwelling Chinese ageing males and their coping strategies to facilitate the management of LUTS by healthcare providers.
A qualitative exploratory design using thematic analysis was used. Semi-structured interviews with 24 Chinese ageing males with moderate-to-severe LUTS were conducted. According to the participants, LUTS adversely affect the physical aspects of their daily lives. Most of them were unwilling to seek social support and were even embarrassed to share this topic with their peers. A range of psychological responses could be observed from the participants that range from regarding the condition as a natural life course to loss of one's self-esteem. Most of the interviewees lacked knowledge and held misconceptions toward LUTS, which prevented them from pursuing medical advice. Most of the participants also sought alternative treatments and developed self-help methods to cope with their symptoms.
LUTS affects the physical and social aspects of sufferers. The findings of this qualitative study can raise awareness about the life experiences, perceptions, misconceptions, and help-seeking behaviors of Chinese elderly with LUTS. Proper health education and advice can be provided for this population.
下尿路症状（LUTS）是老年男性群体中一种高度普遍的慢性疾病。鉴于仅有少数研究探讨了寻求医疗行为和应对策略，关于LUTS男性患者经历的现有文献较为匮乏。目前对老年男性LUTS患者经历的了解相当有限。因此，本研究旨在确定社区居住的中国老年男性中重度LUTS患者的生活经历及其应对策略，以促进医疗服务提供者对LUTS的管理。
采用主题分析的定性探索性设计。对24名患有中重度LUTS的中国老年男性进行了半结构化访谈。根据参与者的说法，LUTS对他们日常生活的身体方面产生了不利影响。他们中的大多数人不愿意寻求社会支持，甚至羞于与同龄人分享这个话题。从参与者身上可以观察到一系列心理反应，从将病情视为自然的生命历程到自尊心的丧失。大多数受访者对LUTS缺乏了解并持有误解，这阻碍了他们寻求医疗建议。大多数参与者还寻求替代治疗方法并制定了自我帮助的方法来应对他们的症状。
LUTS会影响患者的身体和社交方面。这项定性研究的结果可以提高对中国老年LUTS患者的生活经历、认知、误解和寻求帮助行为的认识。可以为这一人群提供适当的健康教育和建议。
