Introduction: General knowledge of most common genitourinary diseases is often lacking. In this survey we evaluated the attention given by patients and general practitioners to genitourinary symptoms, and particularly to hematuria and potential early signs of genitourinary cancer. Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to outpatients before the urological consultation. The questionnaire consisted of 4 multiple choice questions to record the level of patient awareness of urological symptoms, the importance given to gross hematuria, the interval between the onset and the visit, the regularity of physical examination and the first-level investigations indicated by the general practitioner before the urological consultation. Results: A total of 327 self-administered questionnaires were obtained from 358 consecutive patients for a compliance rate of 91.3%. Asymptomatic gross hematuria was present in 91 cases (27.8%). The first episode of hematuria was not reported by 20% of the patients, with a median delay of 11 months. Only 77 patients (23.6%) in the last 5 years had received a physical examination including the external genitalia. Laboratory and/or imaging investigations were indicated before urological counseling in 172 (52.6%) patients. Conclusions: The majority of patients underestimated urological symptoms. Less than 25% and 50% of patients had a physical examination and first-level investigations performed before urological counseling, respectively. Our survey reveals an important lack of awareness of genitourinary symptoms that could be responsible for delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Gesolfo, C.S., Sommatino, F., Romeo, S., Scurria, S., Alonge, V., Caruana, G., et al. (2015). Genitourinary Symptoms-Patient Help-Seeking and General Practitioner Management: An Outpatient Based Survey at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Italy. UROLOGY PRACTICE, 2(5), 223-226 [10.1016/j.urpr.2015.03.005].

Genitourinary Symptoms-Patient Help-Seeking and General Practitioner Management: An Outpatient Based Survey at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Italy

Gesolfo, Cristina Scalici;Sommatino, Francesco;Romeo, Salvatore;Scurria, Salvatore;Alonge, Vincenza;Caruana, Giovanni;Serretta, Vincenzo
2015-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: General knowledge of most common genitourinary diseases is often lacking. In this survey we evaluated the attention given by patients and general practitioners to genitourinary symptoms, and particularly to hematuria and potential early signs of genitourinary cancer. Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to outpatients before the urological consultation. The questionnaire consisted of 4 multiple choice questions to record the level of patient awareness of urological symptoms, the importance given to gross hematuria, the interval between the onset and the visit, the regularity of physical examination and the first-level investigations indicated by the general practitioner before the urological consultation. Results: A total of 327 self-administered questionnaires were obtained from 358 consecutive patients for a compliance rate of 91.3%. Asymptomatic gross hematuria was present in 91 cases (27.8%). The first episode of hematuria was not reported by 20% of the patients, with a median delay of 11 months. Only 77 patients (23.6%) in the last 5 years had received a physical examination including the external genitalia. Laboratory and/or imaging investigations were indicated before urological counseling in 172 (52.6%) patients. Conclusions: The majority of patients underestimated urological symptoms. Less than 25% and 50% of patients had a physical examination and first-level investigations performed before urological counseling, respectively. Our survey reveals an important lack of awareness of genitourinary symptoms that could be responsible for delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
2015
Gesolfo, C.S., Sommatino, F., Romeo, S., Scurria, S., Alonge, V., Caruana, G., et al. (2015). Genitourinary Symptoms-Patient Help-Seeking and General Practitioner Management: An Outpatient Based Survey at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Italy. UROLOGY PRACTICE, 2(5), 223-226 [10.1016/j.urpr.2015.03.005].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Urol_Pract_2015.pdf

Solo gestori archvio

Descrizione: Articolo
Dimensione 89.47 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
89.47 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/265474
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 1
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact