Objectives: Urinary urgency (UU) is linked to musculoskeletal pain (MSP), and it is associated with mental health conditions. This study examined the prevalence of UU morbidity among outpatients with MSP, and the possible association of UU with psychological symptoms and vitamin D deficiency.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 participants recruited from outpatient clinics at King Abdullah University Hospital in Jordan. Participants completed self-guided questionnaires that included information about MSP and UU. Psychological symptoms were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A blood sample was collected for measuring vitamin D levels. Regression analysis was performed to explore predictors of MSP and UU.
Results: Vitamin D deficiency was presented in 64.5% of participants, while UU was reported among 35.4% of MSP patients. Approximately 1/3 of participants had psychiatric symptoms (HADS ≥ 8). Regression analyses revealed a significant association between vitamin D deficiency, low calcium intake, and anxiety scores with MSP (p < 0.05), while anxiety score was a significant predictor of UU among MSP patients (adjusted OR = 4.26, p = 0.038). A moderately significant correlation between anxiety score and frequency of UU per day was also observed (r = 0.303, p = 0.041).
Conclusion: Urinary urgency was prevalent among MSP patients and was strongly associated with anxiety symptoms. The findings suggest the importance of assessment of MSP patients for UU and the associated psychological symptoms so interventions may be potentially implemented to improve patients' health conditions.