ATLANTA, GA USA (UroToday) - As was outlined in this poster, overactive bladder (OAB) is distinguished by urinary urgency, yet many patients cite urinary frequency as their most bothersome symptom. In a OAB pilot study (Abstract #1966) involving 102 patients (87 females and 15 males) with a mean age of 67.4 years, an OAB-q symptom bother scale and patient questionnaire were assessed to determine the most bothersome symptoms. ICS definitions for frequency, urgency, incontinence, and nocturia were applied to relatable statements. When patients indicated “void/urinate too often by day” (the ICS definition for frequency), they were asked why they voided frequently. One of the responses was “a sudden compelling desire to pass urine that is difficult to defer” (the ICS definition for urgency). Other responses included: fear of leakage of urine, sensation of something in the bladder, and learned behavior.
Of those enrolled in the study, 45% are currently taking an anticholinergic (ACH); 43% had not taken an anticholinergic for more than four weeks. Of the assessment tools, the OAB-q bother scale gauged degree of bother at 52.5 (on a scale of 10-100). Nocturia was identified as the most bothersome symptom (27.5%); however, frequency and incontinence (24.5%), followed by urgency (23.5%) were significant complaints. For those not on an ACH, frequency and nocturia were most often the most bothersome complaints. In contrast, for those on an ACH, urgency was the most common symptom. Of those that selected frequency as the most bothersome issue, 52% selected urgency is the underlying reason for the frequency. The study group concluded that urgency is the primary overall complaint with 75% citing urgency as either the primary issue or as a driving symptom behind frequency.
Presented by Benjamin Brucker, Daniella Kaefer, Margarita Aponte, Nirit Rosenblum, Christopher Kelly, Duane Hickling, and Victor Nitti at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting - May 19 - 23, 2012 - Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, GA USA
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