The epidemiology of overactive bladder among females in Asia: a questionnaire survey

Abstract

A questionnaire-based survey was performed in 5502 females from 11 countries in Asia to establish the prevalence overactive bladder (OAB) and identify the factors related to the occurrence of the condition. The overall prevalence of OAB was 53.1%. The most common presenting symptom was urgency (65.4%). Twenty-one per cent of the OAB population presented with incontinence, giving an overall prevalence of 11.4% for urge incontinence among Asian females. The majority (75.4%) were not significantly bothered by the condition. Only 21.1% sought treatment. Older age, multiparity, a positive family history, residence in a rural area and the use of a sitting type of toilet were found to be associated with a greater occurrence of OAB. The study has shown that overactive bladder in Asian females is significant and warrants closer attention. It has also highlighted the low treatment-seeking rate among its sufferers. This is the first report on the epidemiology of overactive bladder among Asians in the medical literature.