title: Overactive bladder and mental health symptoms in recently deployed female veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We estimate the prevalence of current overactive bladder symptoms in recently deployed female veterans, and determine if overactive bladder symptoms are associated with problems commonly reported after deployment including mental health symptoms and prior sexual assault.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data were analyzed from a nationwide cohort study of urogenital symptoms in female veterans. Women returning from deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in the prior 2 years and ending military service were eligible. Self-reported data were collected by computer assisted telephone interview. Overactive bladder and mental health conditions were identified using standardized definitions as well as validated urinary and mental health instruments. Associations between overactive bladder and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and sexual assault were assessed in separate logistic regression models using propensity scores to adjust for confounding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1,702 participants had a mean (SD) age of 31.1 (8.4) years and were racially/ethnically diverse. Overall 375 participants (22%; 95% CI 20.1, 24.1) reported overactive bladder. Mental health outcomes included post-traumatic stress disorder (19%), anxiety (21%), depression (10%) and prior sexual assault (27%). All outcomes were associated with overactive bladder (adjusted OR 2.7, 95% CI [2.0, 3.6], 2.7 [2.0, 3.5], 2.5 [1.5, 4.3] and 1.4 [1.1, 1.9], respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overactive bladder symptoms occurred in 22% of recently deployed female veterans, and were associated with self-reported mental health symptoms and traumatic events including prior sexual assault. Screening and evaluation for bothersome urinary symptoms and mental health problems appear warranted in female veterans presenting for primary and urological care after deployment.
authors: Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa. Electronic address: catherine-bradley@uiowa.edu.
authors: Catherine S
authors: CS
authors: Bradley
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors: Ingrid E
authors: IE
authors: Nygaard
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors: James C
authors: JC
authors: Torner
authors: Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors: Stephen L
authors: SL
authors: Hillis
authors: Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors: Skyler
authors: S
authors: Johnson
authors: Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors: Anne G
authors: AG
authors: Sadler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D058014:Veterans Health
keywords: lower urinary tract symptoms; mental disorders; overactive; urinary bladder; veterans health; women's health