Abstract: PD39-05
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

Perception of bother in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) principally contributes to its impact on quality of life, however etiology and contributing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may differ among patients. We aimed to identify factors associated with perception of condition severity in a population of women with OAB.

Methods

Women self-identifying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. Women scoring 4 or above on a 3-item OAB screening tool (OAB-V3) without a history of neurologic condition, pelvic radiation or intestinal diversion were eligible. Participants were grouped based upon a Patient Perception of Bladder Condition score ≤3 (&[Prime]low PPBC&[Prime]) or ≥4 (&[Prime]high PPBC&[Prime]). Statistical comparisons between groups centered on demographic and clinical factors. Multivariate analysis controlling for traditional OAB symptoms assessed the contributions of non-OAB factors on PPBC.

Results

125 women with mean age 41.3 ± 13.5 years comprised the study population. 82 (66%) reported low PPBC and 43 (34%) high PPBC. The groups were similar with respect to age, demographic factors, and reported clinical history. Subjects with low PPBC had significantly lower OAB-q (18.9 vs. 26.8, p<0.001) and OAB-q quality of life (25.7 vs. 39.0, p<0.001) scores. The proportion of patients reporting any incontinence did not differ (86% in both groups), however, high PPBC patients were more likely to report: greater urgency, worse frequency, daily incontinence, larger amount leaked, bladder pain, poor physical and mental health and fatigue. Results of the multivariate analysis controlling for age, urgency, frequency, incontinence, nocturia, bladder pain, mental and physical health and fatigue (Table) suggest bladder pain, low perception of physical health, and fatigue contributed as significantly to a high PPBC score as selected measures of typical OAB symptoms.

Conclusions

Factors other than traditional OAB symptoms contribute significantly to patient perception of condition severity. Patients with pain, fatigue and poor perception of overall health may be predisposed to greater bother from similar objective LUTS. Failure to address these contributing factors may result in suboptimal outcomes.

Funding

none