Sociodemographic factors that affect the real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/LUTS) and also its association with sociodemographic factor (SDF) have not been extensively investigated. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Among 10,254 individuals at the first baseline survey in 2006, a total of 4383 participants were ultimately included for final analysis. For statistical analysis, chi-square tests and generalized estimating equation regression models were conducted. Results: The prevalence rate of BPH/LUTS was 6.1% (266/4383) and real treatment rate was 58.3 percent (155/266). After adjusting for all confounders, odds ratio (OR) for the treatment of prostate disease in patients ages 55–64 and 65 years or more was 1.884 times higher (95% CI 1.096–3.237; p =.022) and 2.989 times higher (95% CI 1.755–5.091; p <.0001) than patients ages under 55, respectively. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those residing in urban areas was 0.756 times lower (95% CI 0.573–0.998; p =.048) than those residing in metropolitan areas. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those with bad self-rated health was 1.886 times higher (95% CI 1.461–2.436; p <.0001), compared to those with good self-rated health. Conclusion: The real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with BPH/LUTS was 58.3%, a larger treatment rate than earlier reports. However, there are still a large proportion of patients who do not seek treatment; and age, residential area, and self-rated health were all found to be associated with real treatment rate.