title: Epidemiology and demographics of the underactive bladder: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and awareness of symptoms suggestive of underactive bladder (UAB) in a heterogeneous, non-specific population to garner additional epidemiologic information about UAB. After IRB approval, an 18-item survey was mailed to 5,000 people living in metro Detroit to collect demographic data and questions regarding clinical urinary symptoms and familiarity with UAB. A total of 633 subjects (13; 54 % men, 46 % women) returned the survey. Nearly one quarter (23 %, n = 137) of respondents reported difficulty emptying his/her bladder, yet only 11 % (n = 70) had ever heard of UAB. The study results indicated that patient-reported bladder emptying symptoms are prevalent, as common in women as men, and significantly associated with comorbidity and poor self-reported health. The results suggest that the burden and impact of UAB might be significant and that a syndromic concept of UAB warrants research to determine the true burden of disease, increase awareness, and broaden efforts to investigate therapeutic directions.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DuBeau
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chancellor
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okonski
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vereecke
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doo
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lajiness
authors.forename: Ananias
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diokno
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chancellor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*