Systemic Nonurological Symptoms in Patients with Overactive Bladder

Abstract

Objectives (1) To compare the systemic (non-urologic) symptoms between OAB patients and subjects without OAB; (2) compare the urinary symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial measures between the two subgroups of OAB patients who had high versus low systemic symptom burden. Materials and Methods Patients diagnosed with OAB (n=51) and age-matched individuals without OAB (n=30) were administered the Polysymptomatic, Polysyndromic Questionnaire (PSPS-Q) to assess the numbers and distribution of systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems. Validated instruments were administered to evaluate their 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). OAB patients were divided into two subgroups (with and without widespread systemic symptoms) and their responses were compared. Results OAB patients reported significantly more systemic (non-urologic) symptoms compared to controls (17.5 ± 12.3 versus 6.4 ± 7.9 symptoms, p<0.001). Differences were observed across multiple organ systems (neurological, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, sexual, musculoskeletal, and gynecological, p<0.05). About a third of OAB patients (31.4%) reported widespread systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems (mean 32.0 symptoms). The presence of widespread systemic symptoms among OAB patients was correlated with worse incontinence/OAB 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 non-urologic symptoms in OAB suggests an underlying systemic etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms that may contribute to OAB. This study highlights the importance of understanding systemic factors in urologic conditions otherwise thought to be organ-specific.

An innovative, non‐invasive sensation meter allows for a more comprehensive understanding of bladder sensation events: A prospective study in participants with normal bladder function

“…Overactive bladder (OAB), as defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) is “a syndrome characterized by symptoms of urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia.” 1 Nearly 30 million adults over the age of 40 years in the US display “bothersome symptoms of OAB.” 2 While estimates of health care burden vary, it is generally accepted that patients who are more symptomatic report poorer quality of life and experience worse mental health outcomes. 3,4 Furthermore, because the only absolute term in the ICS definition is “urgency,” OAB can be viewed as a disorder of bladder sensation.…”

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in adult patients with mitochondrial disease

“…20 Furthermore, patients with detrusor overactivity tend to report nonurological systemic symptoms more frequently, as compared to those without detrusor overactivity. 21 In contrast, detrusor underactivity has previously also been reported in neurological conditions, 22 and also hypothesized to occur as part of normal human ageing. 23 Within this context, we posited that mitochondrial dysfunction may result in poor detrusor function amongst patients with mitochondrial disease.…”

Clustering of patients with overactive bladder syndrome

“…The presence of pelvic pain was associated with worse psychosocial health [ 30 ]. High anxiety, depression, psychological stress, and somatic symptom burden were also associated with more severe urinary incontinence, and poorer quality of life [ 4 – 7 , 10 ]. Our consensus clustering results have grouped these patients into a distinct systemic cluster.…”