Self-management interventions for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly impact men's quality of life and can cause bothersome symptoms, which often interfere with daily functioning and contribute to psychological distress. While pharmacological and surgical treatments are effective, they can have side effects, and not all men require or desire these interventions. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of self-management interventions on symptom severity.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, from inception to August 2024. We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing self-management interventions for LUTS in men. Studies were evaluated for quality and analyzed for outcomes on BPH Impact Index, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and QoL. Publication bias and heterogeneity were examined through LFK indices, sensitivity analyses, and Doi plots.

Results: Self-management significantly reduced the BPH Impact Index at 3 months (SMD: -0.73; p = 0.0003) and 6 months (SMD: -0.95; p = 0.05), though publication bias was indicated. The IPSS decreased significantly at 3 months (MD: -5.52; p < 0.01), 6 months (MD: -5.50; p = 0.002), and 12 months (MD: -3.51; p = 0.01). Quality of life also improved at 6 and 12 months (SMD: -0.34, p = 0.002, and SMD: -0.30, p < 0.01, respectively). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the consistency of these findings after adjusting for study heterogeneity.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that self-management interventions provide a significant benefit in reducing LUTS severity and enhancing quality of life in men.