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A cross-sectional study in the USA of the epidemiology and quality of life of underactive bladder symptoms

  • Urology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the prevalence, awareness, and quality of life (QOL) impact of symptoms suggestive of underactive bladder (UAB) in the USA.

Methods

A thirteen-item paper survey was mailed to 25,000 individuals 60 years or older living in the USA. It aimed to collect information relating to demographics, familiarity with UAB, patient urinary symptoms, and QOL concerns.

Results

Nine hundred and seventy-seven survey participants were stratified into four groups based on the number of UAB symptoms (straining, retention, and difficulty emptying) present: zero, one, two, and three. As the number of reported UAB symptoms increased, there was an increase prevalence in nocturia, urge, and urinary frequency (p < 0.0001). Increased UAB symptoms were associated with an increased prevalence of concerns related to urgency, urge incontinence, nocturia, and overall urinary status (p < 0.0001). Urology visits were most common in individuals who reported the most UAB symptoms (p < 0.0001); however, there was no difference among groups with regard to UAB awareness. Women were less likely to report any UAB symptoms (p < 0.0001), symptoms of urge (p = 0.001), retention (p = 0.002), difficulty emptying their bladder (p < 0.0001), a history of catheter use for retention (P = 0.002), and urology visits in the past 3 years (p < 0.0001). This study is limited in its inability to differentiate UAB from disorders that may mimic UAB clinically, based on the survey questions asked.

Conclusions

Underactive bladder symptoms are common and can have a significant impact on ones QOL, although awareness is still lacking among potentially affected individuals. More must be done to allow one to better differentiate between UAB and conditions that are clinically similar.

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Abbreviations

BOO:

Bladder outlet obstruction

DU:

Detrusor underactivity

ICS:

International Continence Society

LUTS:

Lower urinary tract symptoms

UAB:

Underactive bladder

UAB-q:

Underactive bladder questionnaire

UTI:

Urinary tract infection

QOL:

Quality of life

OAB:

Overactive bladder

PFS:

Pressure flow studies

BPH:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

UI:

Urge incontinence

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA

    Kassem Faraj, Florence Doo & Michael B. Chancellor

  2. Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA

    Judy Boura, Andrew Vereecke & Michael B. Chancellor

Authors
  1. Kassem Faraj
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  2. Florence Doo
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  3. Judy Boura
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  4. Andrew Vereecke
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  5. Michael B. Chancellor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael B. Chancellor.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

This project was supported by the Aikens Center for Neurourology Research at Beaumont Health.

Research involving human participants

This study was IRB approved at Beaumont Health System.

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Faraj, K., Doo, F., Boura, J. et al. A cross-sectional study in the USA of the epidemiology and quality of life of underactive bladder symptoms. Int Urol Nephrol 48, 1797–1802 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-016-1382-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-016-1382-0

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