Prevalence of overactive bladder in China, Taiwan and South Korea: Results from a cross-sectional, population-based study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) in individuals aged ?40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Methods: The present cross-sectional population-representative Internet-based study investigated OAB symptoms in men and women aged ?40 years using the overactive bladder symptom score. Additional instruments included the International Index of Erectile Function (men only) and the Sexual Quality of Life – Female (women only) questionnaires, as well as Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC). Results: In all, 8284 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of OAB was 20.8% overall (women 22.1%, men 19.5%) and increased significantly with age, from 10.8% in those aged 40–44 years to 27.9% in those aged >60 years (P =.001). The presence of comorbid conditions (e.g. neurological disease, diabetes) was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of OAB. Increasing symptom severity was associated with significantly worsening patient perception of bladder condition responses. Just under half (48%) of those with no OAB had no lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), whereas 88% of those with severe symptoms had all 3 LUTS (International Continence Society definition) symptom categories (voiding, post-micturition, and storage symptoms). Of those without OAB, 10% reported visiting healthcare professionals for urinary symptoms, compared with 64% of those with severe OAB symptoms (P =.001). Increased symptom severity was significantly associated with lower sexual quality of life in both men and women. Conclusions: OAB symptoms were found to affect 1 in 5 individuals aged ?40 years in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, becoming more common with increasing age. The results suggest that many more individuals with OAB could benefit by consulting healthcare professionals. ? 2017 The Authors. LUTS Published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd