Lower urinary tract symptoms as an independent predictor of aortic regurgitation in women with cardiac symptoms

Sep 29, 2026

Study examines how lower urinary tract symptoms relate to structural heart disease, focusing on aortic regurgitation severity in women presenting with cardiac symptoms. A single-center prospective cross-sectional design enrolled 165 adult women undergoing echocardiography between February 1 and March 31, 2021. LUTS were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score. Moderate-to-severe LUTS independently predicted moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation, especially storage symptoms, supporting early cardiology referral for affected patients.

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Abstract

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J Chin MedAssoc Original article Lower urinary tract symptoms as an independent predictor of aortic regurgitation in women with cardiac symptoms Yu-Hua Fana,b,c, Wei-Ming Chengb,d,e,f,*, Yen-Chang Huangg aDepartment of Urology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; bDepartment of Urology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; cShu-Tien Urological Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; dProgram in Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; eInstitute of Biopharmaceutical Science, School of Life Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; fDivision of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxiao Branch, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; gDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Abstract Background: Very few studies have focused on the correlation between structural heart disease and lower urinary tract symptoms. In this study, we applied echocardiography to explore the correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms and structural heart disease. Methods: In this single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study, we enrolled adult women undergoing echocardiography for suspected cardiac abnormalities causing cardiac symptoms between February 1, 2021, and March 31, 2021. All participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic information and lower urinary tract symptoms, which were assessed according to the International Prostate Symptom Score. Results: A total of 165 women aged 69.96 ± 10.20 years were enrolled. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation in patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms was significantly higher than that in patients with mild lower urinary tract symptoms (33 .3% vs 13.6%, p = 0.008) . The prevalence of other echocardiographic abnormalities was not associated with severity of lower urinary tract symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms predicted moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (p = 0.007; odds ratio: 3.560; 95% confidence interval: 1.409-8.993) . Furthermore, the International Prostate Symptom Score storage subscore (p = 0.001; odds ratio: 1.285; 95% confidence interval: 1.111–1.486), except the voiding subscore, was an independent predictor of moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation. Conclusion: Moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms, especially storage symptoms, are an independent predictor of the co-existence of moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation in women with cardiac symptoms. Early cardiological referral of patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms and cardiac symptoms may improve their general health. Keywords: Aortic regurgitation; Echocardiography; Lower urinary tract symptoms 1. INTRODUCTION Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in both men and women and tend to increase with age. Liu et al investigated the prevalence of LUTS in 2068 adults with a mean age of 55 years in Taiwan.1 According to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 85% of individuals had at least mild LUTS (total score 1-7), and 30% had at least moderate *Address correspondence. Dr. Wei-Ming Cheng, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxiao Branch, 87, Tongde Road, Taipei 115, Taiwan, [ROC. E-mail address: guwmcheng@gmail.com](ROC. E-mail address: guwmcheng@gmail.com) (W.-M. Cheng). Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article. Journal of Chinese Medical Association. (2023) 86: 641-645. Received November 25, 2022; accepted April 27, 2023. doi: 10. 1097/JCMA.0000000000000935. Copyright © 2023, the Chinese Medical Associatio

FAQs

What was the study’s main purpose?

To assess whether lower urinary tract symptoms correlate with structural heart disease, specifically aortic regurgitation, in women with cardiac symptoms.

How were lower urinary tract symptoms evaluated?

Lower urinary tract symptoms were measured using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), including subscores such as storage and voiding.

What did the results show about prediction of aortic regurgitation?

Moderate-to-severe LUTS independently predicted moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation, with the IPSS storage subscore (but not the voiding subscore) also acting as an independent predictor.

Sep 29, 2026

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