Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the improvement of the national economic level and the development of information technology, more and more elderly people in China have begun to participate in online entertainment and communication. However, in the digital age, older people's access to the Internet has also brought about many new problems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Internet access was associated with the onset of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) over 7 years among Chinese older populations. METHODS: Measures of health behaviors are self-reported. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between daily Internet use and LUTS/BPH. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, Internet exposure was significantly associated with LUTS/BPH in Chinese older adults [odds ratio (OR) =2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-5.02]. During the 7-year follow-up, 422 (10.5%) subjects developed new-onset LUTS/BPH. Participants who used the Internet had a higher risk of new-onset LUTS/BPH (OR =2.71; 95% CI: 1.22-6.02). Subgroup analyses suggest that older adults with high economic levels or comorbidities appear to be more likely to develop LUTS/BPH during long-term Internet use. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that older adults who used the Internet had an elevated risk of LUTS/BPH compared to those who did not. The increasing prevalence of Internet use among older adults may prompt thinking about the importance of moderate Internet use.