Purpose: To determine the prevalence of the overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in an urban population by using the International Continence Society (ICS) definition and to determine its impact on quality of life and sexual function.
Methods: Women and men participating in a health screening project in the area of Vienna completed the Bristol Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) questionnaire. To assess the prevalence of OAB the 2002 ICS definition was applied. In addition, all participants underwent a detailed health examination, including physical assessment, evaluation of life style factors, laboratory study and urinalysis.
Results: A total of 1199 men and 1219 women aged 20-91 years were analysed. The prevalence of OAB in men (48.5+/-13.1 years) was 10.2% (OABdry: 8.4%; OABwet: 1.8%) and 16.8% in women (49.5+/-13.5 years; OABdry:10.3%; OABwet: 6.5%). In women, the prevalence of OABdry remained fairly stable over 6 life decades, while OABwet increased substantially after the age of 40 years. In men OABwet and OABdry increased after the third life decade. In men with OAB, 48% did not report a negative impact on quality of life, 36% had minimal, 9.8% moderate and 2.5% severe impairment; the respective percentages for women were 53%, 33%, 7.3% and 6.3%. OABwet had a more profound impact on quality of life. A negative impact of OAB on sexuality was reported by 24% of men and 31% of women.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of OAB in this population, its negative impact of quality of life and sexuality underline the importance of this syndrome.