Overactive bladder: prevalence and implications in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To assess overactive bladder (OAB) prevalence, associated factors and implications in a young population.


METHODS
An independent population-based study was carried out. A self-applicative questionnaire covering urinary symptoms, coping strategies, quality of life and treatment seeking behavior was developed.


RESULTS
A total of 848 subjects between 15 and 55 years completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of OAB was 18.9%. Women were significantly more affected than men (p = 0.001). All age groups were equally affected (p = 0.152). Subjects with OAB reported significant impairment on household chores (p = 0.009), physical activities (p = 0.016), sleep (p < 0.001), work (p < 0.001), social life (p < 0.001) and sexual life (p < 0.001). In addition, OAB individuals present higher prevalence of depression (p = 0.036), anxiety (p < 0.001), shame (p < 0.001) and tiredness (p < 0.001) OAB was independently associated to sexual life impairment (OR = 3.36, 95% CI=1.20-9.39). Only 27.5% of OAB subjects sought for medical counseling.


CONCLUSIONS
OAB is a highly prevalent condition, even in such a young population. It affects both genders, yet it is more frequently observed in women. OAB is an important health condition, with serious impact on quality of life and sexual function. A large percentual of individuals remain unrecognized, under treated and consequently suffer for long periods of time.
Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre e Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Claudio
C
Teloken
Fernanda
F
Caraver
Fernanda A
FA
Weber
Patrick E
PE
Teloken
João F
JF
Moraes
Paulo R
PR
Sogari
Túlio M
TM
Graziottin
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000453:epidemiology*