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  • Clinical Research
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Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in taxi drivers: a cross-sectional web-based survey

Abstract

Purpose

Aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of LUTS in taxi drivers.

Methods

Between February 24th 2021 and March 26th 2021 a web based survey was administered to Taxi drivers in the city of Florence. Taxi drivers were evaluated with baseline characteristics such as: age, BMI, smoking, career length, comorbidities, and treatment. LUTS were evaluated using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and the overactive bladder (OAB) score. As well sexual function was evaluated using the international index erectile function (IIEF) and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. Risk factors for LUTS were evaluated using regression analysis.

Results

The overall response rate was 64.6% (537/830 taxi drivers filled the questionnaires). Among them, 449 (83.6%) were men and 88 (16.4%) females. Overall, median IPSS was 5 (2/9) and median OAB score was 10 (7/14). On multivariate binary regression analysis age > 50 (OR:1.60; p < 0,05), Smoking (OR:1.57; p < 0,05), chronic treatment (OR:1.57; p < 0,05), recurrent cystitis (OR: 2.66; p < 0,05) and chronic pelvic pain (OR:4.94; p < 0,05) were independent risk factors for moderate/severe LUTS. On multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, risk factors for erectile dysfunction were age older than 50 years (OR = 3.64; p < 0.05) and urinary incontinence (OR = 5.53; p = 0.005).

Conclusions

According to our web-based survey, Taxi drivers in the metropolitan city of Florence had non-negligible symptomatic LUTS and even sexual dysfunction. Our data suggest as LUTS are particular influenced by several life-style and behavioural factors as type and duration of work.

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Data availability

Data and materials are available upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

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Contributions

CDN: Protocol/project development, Data collection or management, Data analysis, Manuscript writing/editing. ACicione: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing. SMusco: Data collection or management, Data analysis, Manuscript writing/editing. VLM: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing. RL: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing, Data analysis. LG: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing, Data analysis. SMorselli: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing, Data analysis. MLG: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing. SS: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing. CR: Data collection or management, Manuscript writing/editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vincenzo Li Marzi.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by a local ethical committee and was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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A specific informed consent was signed by all the patients to participate.

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Li Marzi, V., Musco, S., Lombardo, R. et al. Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in taxi drivers: a cross-sectional web-based survey. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-023-00777-w

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