Work

Systemic Nonurological Symptoms in Patients with Overactive Bladder

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: We compare the systemic (nonurological) symptoms between patients with overactive bladder and subjects without overactive bladder. We also compare the urinary symptoms, quality of life and psychosocial measures between the 2 subgroups of patients with overactive bladder with a high vs low systemic symptom burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with overactive bladder (51) and age matched individuals without overactive bladder (30) were administered the polysymptomatic, polysyndromic questionnaire to assess the numbers and distribution of systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems. Validated instruments were administered to evaluate urinary symptoms (ICIQ-UI, ICIQ-OAB, OAB-q, USS), quality of life (UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-q) and psychosocial difficulties (depression, anxiety, stress, sexual trauma, sleep, fatigue). Patients with overactive bladder were divided into 2 subgroups (with and without widespread systemic symptoms) and their responses were compared. RESULTS: Patients with overactive bladder reported significantly more systemic (nonurological) symptoms compared to controls (mean ± SD 17.5 ± 12.3 vs 6.4 ± 7.9 symptoms, p <0.001). Differences were observed across multiple organ systems (neurologic, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, sexual, musculoskeletal and gynecologic, p <0.05). About a third of patients with overactive bladder (31.4%) reported widespread systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems (mean 32.0 symptoms). The presence of widespread systemic symptoms among patients with overactive bladder was correlated with worse incontinence/overactive bladder symptoms (ICIQ-UI, OAB-q), poorer quality of life (UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-q) and more psychosocial difficulties (depression, anxiety, fatigue and higher stress, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increased presence of nonurological symptoms in overactive bladder suggests an underlying systemic etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms that may contribute to overactive bladder. This study highlights the importance of understanding systemic factors in urological conditions otherwise thought to be organ specific.

Source: The Journal of Urology

DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2016.02.2974

Authors: H. Henry Lai, Joel Vetter, Sanjay Jain, Gerald L. Andriole

Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

Language: English

Topic: Urinary Bladder and Prostate Research

Subfield: Urology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences