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. 2021 Mar;39(3):877-882.
doi: 10.1007/s00345-020-03257-1. Epub 2020 May 20.

Seasonal variations in overactive bladder drug prescription rates in women: a nationwide population-based study

Jong Won Kim  1 , Hyun Kyu Ahn  1 , Jongcheol Ko  1 , Dongu Lee  1 , Jee Soo Ha  1 , Jae Hwan Kim  2 , So Jeong Park  2 , Kang Su Cho  3
Affiliations

Seasonal variations in overactive bladder drug prescription rates in women: a nationwide population-based study

Jong Won Kim et al. World J Urol. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: Colder seasons can aggravate lower urinary tract symptoms, especially an overactive bladder (OAB). This aspect has been extensively studied in men and rarely in women. We investigated whether colder seasons influence OAB-drug prescription rates (OAB-DPRs) in women.

Methods: Women aged > 18 years were selected from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample data between 2012 and 2016. OAB-DPR was calculated according to age and seasonal groups. The prescription rates in summer (June, July, and August) and winter (January, February, and December) months were compared. Sub-analysis was performed according to age group.

Results: In total, 3,061,343 adult women were included. The overall OAB-DPR was 3.75% (114,940/3,061,343). Overall OAB-DPRs in summer and winter were 1.41% (43,090/3,061,343) and 1.54% (47,038/3,061,343), respectively (p < 0.001). Seasonal variations in OAB-DPRs differed by age group (p < 0.001): OAB-DPRs were significantly lower in winter than in summer months in women aged < 50 years (odds ratio 0.942; 95% confidence interval 0.918-0.967; p < 0.001), but significantly higher in winter than in summer months in women aged ≥ 50 years (odds ratio 1.153; 95% confidence interval 1.135-1.171; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In this study, a correlation was noted between OAB-DPR and seasons. OAB-DPRs were higher in the summer in women aged < 50 years and higher in the winter in women aged ≥ 50 years. Our findings suggest that female hormonal status may be involved in the contradictory effect of seasons on OAB symptoms.

Keywords: Overactive; Seasons; Urinary bladder; Variation; Women.

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