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Issue: No. 11TA (2026)
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i11TA.4945
Date Published: 25/06/2026
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Nguyen, L. K. H., Nguyen, T. H., Nguyen, T. D., Huynh, N. N. A., & Phan, K. T. (2026). STORAGE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS: PREVALENCE, SUBJECTIVE BOTHER, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 11TA, 9-16. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i11TA.4945

STORAGE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS: PREVALENCE, SUBJECTIVE BOTHER, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Le Kha Han Nguyen1, Trung Hieu Nguyen1, , Thanh Dat Nguyen1, Nguyen Nhu Anh Huynh1, Khanh Toan Phan1
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Storage lower urinary tract symptoms (storage LUTS) may result in considerable subjective bother and negatively affect quality of life. Female medical students may be particularly vulnerable to these symptoms due to academic demands, physical exhaustion, and lifestyle-related factors. However, the prevalence and correlates of storage LUTS in this population remain insufficiently explored. Objectives: 1. To describe the prevalence and characteristics of storage LUTS and their associated subjective bother among female medical students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2026; 2. To identify factors associated with storage LUTS symptom scores in this population. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 173 fulltime female medical students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy from January 3 to February 13, 2026. Lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed using the ICIQ-FLUTS Long Form. Results: The prevalence of storage LUTS was 17.9%, defined as the presence of at least one storage symptom with a frequency score of ≥2. Using the same threshold, nocturia and urgency were the most prevalent storage symptoms, each reported by 5.8% of participants. Storage symptom scores showed a moderate positive correlation with total bother scores (rs = 0.676, p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis (R² = 0.287; Adjusted R² = 0.261), higher storage LUTS symptom scores were independently associated with high salt intake, exhaustion, caffeine consumption, physical activity and masturbation frequency, whereas LUTS awareness was inversely associated with symptom scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Storage LUTS are relatively common among female medical students and are associated with considerable subjective bother. Improving awareness and promoting appropriate lifestyle practices may help reduce the symptom burden in this population. 

Keywords

Lower urinary tract symptoms, Bother, ICIQ-FLUTS Long Form, Young women, Urinary symptoms, Cross-sectional study

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