Lower urinary tract symptoms in medical residents as reflection of a stressful work environment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the presence of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms in medical resident are associated with workplace bullying. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in medical residents. Moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms were defined as greater than 8 points on the International Prostate Symptom Score. Residents were classified as bullied if their total score on the Negative Acts Questoinnarie-Revised, was above 41 points. Perceived bullying was considered as present when any positive answer was documented in a specific question to measure this variable. Bivariate analysis to determine statistical differences between presence of lower urinary tract symptoms and exposure to both types of bullying was performed using chi(2) . The magnitude and directions of all associations were determined by calculating the Odds Ratio with 95% level of confidence. RESULTS: 209 residents were included, 63% men; 68% reported at least one lower urinary tract symptom, of which, 56% were mild, 10% moderate and 2% severe. The prevalence of bullying was 42% while perceived bullying was present in 39%. Residents with >/=8 points on the International Prostate Symptom Score had higher risk of being exposed to bullying (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-6.7, p=0.01) and/or perceived bullying (OR: 3.1 95% CI: 1.3-7.5, p=0.00). Female gender had greater risk than man for presenting lower urinary tract symptoms at basal state (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-6.6, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Medical residents with moderate or severe urinary tract symptoms may be related to bullying. Being a woman is associated with an increased risk of developing LUTS.