Psychosocial risk and protective factors for men’s lower urinary tract symptoms: A secondary analysis of CARDIA cohort study data

This study is a secondary analysis of Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults data examining whether men’s experience of psychosocial factors from baseline (1985–1986), when men were aged 18–30 years, through 25 years of follow-up (2010–2011) are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in 2012–2013. Consistent with previous literature, adverse childhood family environment (OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.07, 1.43) and depressive symptoms across early and midlife adulthood (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.38, 1.87) were associated with higher numbers of and more severe LUTS, a composite measure. Novel findings demonstrated that interpersonal stressors (OR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.07, 1.44) and other life stressors (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.15, 1.53) in early and midlife adulthood were associated with worse LUTS among men, while emotional support was protective (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.60, 0.81). Findings suggest that a variety of psychosocial experiences may influence LUTS. Additional research is needed to confirm novel findings and identify mechanisms by which life course psychosocial factors may influence the development, maintenance, or worsening of LUTS.