Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Use and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Results From the Boston Area Community Health Survey

There is evidence for a role of inflammation in the etiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), raising the possibility that use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may inhibit the development or progression of LUTS. The authors examined the association between use of prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs and LUTS among 1,974 men and 2,661 women in the Boston Area Community Health Survey (2002-2005). Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for LUTS, voiding symptoms, storage symptoms, and nocturia. There was no clear association between use of prescription or over-the-counter NSAIDs (compared with no NSAID use) and overall LUTS, voiding symptoms, or nocturia in men or women. However, over-the-counter NSAID use was positively associated with storage symptoms in women (odds ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.83), and there was a positive association between over-the-counter NSAID use and overall LUTS among women with a history of arthritis (odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 3.64). These results do not provide strong support for an association between NSAIDs and LUTS. However, the associations between over-the-counter NSAID use and certain urologic symptoms, particularly among women with arthritis, and the potential mechanisms involved should be evaluated in future studies.