Care Experience Disparities in Individuals With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Systematic Review and Content Analysis.
South Med JSep 3, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchUrology
Sarah Duggan, Jacqueline Mosher, Sophia Boxerman et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review analyzed 11 studies to evaluate care experiences of individuals with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It found that patients with limited English proficiency and low socioeconomic status reported worse care experiences, particularly in communication and access to care. Notably, 66.7% of comparative studies indicated disparities in care experiences among these populations.
Key findings
- 91% of studies focused on urinary incontinence as the primary LUTS.
- 66.7% of comparative studies reported worse care experiences for patients with limited English proficiency and low socioeconomic status.
- 73% of studies evaluated communication with clinicians and access to care as key domains.
- 45% of studies highlighted concerns about healthcare costs affecting access to LUTS care.
Why it matters
Understanding disparities in care experiences for LUTS can help clinicians identify vulnerable populations and address barriers to effective communication and access to care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.