Ces Urol 2011, 15(3):181-188 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2011032

Prevalence of the overactive bladder symptoms among patients of urological outpatient clinics

Jan Krhut¹, Roman Zachoval², Alois Martan³, David Němec¹, Ondřej Havránek¹, Radek Sýkora¹, Kamil Švabík³, Tomáš Hanuš⁴

¹ Urologické oddělení FN a LF OU, Ostrava

² Urologické oddělení FTN, Praha

³ Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

⁴ Urologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Aim:
The issue of the overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the most actual topics of the current urology. The OAB is characterized by the presence of severe urgency with or without incontinence, mostly accompanied by frequency and nocturia. Urgency is defined as a sudden compelling desire to pass urine, which is difficult to defer.
The OAB in adult population is estimated at about 10-12%; however, most of the patients are not diagnosed even treated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the OAB prevalence in the specific population of patients of the urological outpatient clinic.

Material and methods:
Five hundred consecutive patients over 18 years old of five general urological outpatient clinics were included in this study. The OAB prevalence was determined by combination of self-assessment questionnaire "Bladder Control Self Assessment Questionnaire (BCSAQ)" and direct questioning by an urologist. BCSAQ response rate was 68.4 %; direct questioning by a doctor was carried out by in sum of 94% of patients.
Results obtained from this study were compiled using methods of descriptive statistics.

Results:
Overactive bladder prevalence reached 23.6% according to results of the BCSAQ evaluation. No significant difference in overactive bladder prevalence between men and women was discovered (23.1% vs. 24.5%). It was found by the analyses of direct questioning by a doctor that overall 301 (64%) of patients declared occasional urgency occurrence; 43 (9.1%) patients stated urge incontinence. Only 198 (42%) of questioned patients were able to speak about the urgency and incontinence openly and without feeling ashamed.

Conclusion:
OAB prevalence among the patients of the urological outpatient clinics is considerably higher than in the common population. In regard of the negative influence of the OAB on the quality of life, it could be recommended to actively search for the patients who can potentially profit from further examination and eventual treatment of the OAB.

Keywords: urgency, overactive bladder, urology, prevalence, incontinence

Received: April 18, 2011; Accepted: June 6, 2011; Published: June 1, 2011