The overactive bladder and quality of life

Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2005 Jan-Feb;50(1):30-6.

Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 16.6% of the U.S. population, or 33 million adults, in some form. Despite the prevalence of OAB, almost 60% of those affected seek no medical assistance for the condition either because of embarrassment or the misconception that it represents an inevitable function of aging. A recent surge of interest on the subject has uncovered the dramatic effect that OAB can have on social interactions, sleep, depression, sexual health, and overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The introduction of validated, condition-specific QOL questionnaires has enhanced our ability to measure these subjective dimensions of OAB, and to assess their response to therapeutic interventions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Education / standards
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence* / diagnosis
  • Urinary Incontinence* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence* / psychology
  • Urination Disorders / diagnosis
  • Urination Disorders / epidemiology
  • Urination Disorders / psychology