OBJECTIVE(S): Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common and cause significant suffering for patients. Individuals often delay seeking help. Because of the accessibility of pharmacists in the community, they have an opportunity to be able to assess for LUTS and provide care through a specifically designed LUTS guideline. We describe a LUTS guideline adapted for pharmacists.

METHOD(S): A search was conducted for LUTS guidelines, with relevant guidelines assessed using the AGREE II tool. The guidelines with the highest scores were used to develop the initial draft of the LUTS guideline in combination with established Canadian guidelines. The draft was then reviewed by health care professionals specializing in urology and geriatrics to be assessed for content validity.

RESULT(S): We identified a total of 22 relevant LUTS guidelines that were assessed using the AGREE II tool. The guidelines with the highest scoring were published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and these two guidelines in combination with Canadian guidelines were used to develop our initial draft. The content of the algorithm focuses on initial, safe, screening questions, history taking, non-pharmacologic interventions, non-prescription modifications, and prescription therapies. Guidance on when to refer to another health professional is included, along with 'red flags' for focused reassessment.

CONCLUSION(S): This is the first guideline for the assessment and management of LUTS by community pharmacists. Further work is required to implement an intervention study with this guideline to determine if this will increase early identification and treatment of LUTS patients by community pharmacists.