The prevalence of overactive bladder and its impact on the quality of life: A cross-sectional study

Shrouq Qudah; Mohammad Abufaraj; Randa Farah; Abdulrahman Almazeedi; Ali Ababneh; Mazen Alnabulsi; Ayman Qatawneh; Dana Hyassat; Kamel Ajlouni

doi:10.1080/2090598X.2023.2221403

The prevalence of overactive bladder and its impact on the quality of life: A cross-sectional study

Arab J Urol. 2023 Jun 10;22(1):39-47. doi: 10.1080/2090598X.2023.2221403. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Shrouq Qudah¹, Mohammad Abufaraj², Randa Farah³, Abdulrahman Almazeedi¹, Ali Ababneh², Mazen Alnabulsi², Ayman Qatawneh⁴, Dana Hyassat⁵, Kamel Ajlouni⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
² Division of Urology, Department of Special Surgery, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
⁵ The National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetic (NCDEG)/The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

Abstract

Objective: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition affecting both men and women and has been shown to affect the quality of life. We conducted this study to estimate the prevalence of OAB, and to incorporate symptom severity, symptom bother and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the assessment of OAB and evaluate associated factors.

Methodology: A total of 940 participants were categorized into non-OAB and OAB using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). HRQL and symptom bother were measured using the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire - Short Form (OAB-q SF). Descriptive analyses and multivariable regression analyses were performed.

Results: The prevalence of OAB among our population was 27.4%. Patients with older age (Odd ratio [OR] = 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-3), higher body mass index (BMI) (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.8-3.8), comorbidities (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9-3.5) and history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) s (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4-2.6) were significantly associated with increased risk of OAB (p < 0.001). The mean OAB symptom bothers score was 35.7 + 22.9 and increased significantly across OAB severity groups (p < 0.001). The mean HRQL score was 73.3 + 22 and a significant decreased across OAB severity groups (p < 0.001). All OAB symptoms showed significant positive correlation with increased symptom bother (p < 0.001) in addition to significant inverse correlation with HRQL (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: OAB is a prevalent condition in our population and the associated symptoms negatively affect HRQL. In this study, the detrimental effect is not exclusive to UUI and can be attributed to the other elements in the symptom spectrum of OAB. Screening for OAB should be considered during routine clinical visits using validated and reliable measures for early detection of symptoms and possible modification of risk factors to improve the outcome.

Keywords: Overactive Bladder; quality of life; urge incontinence.