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Comparative Study
. 2021 Jan 1;27(1):e208-e214.
doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000894.

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Women With Overactive Bladder or Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Yuko M Komesu  1 , Timothy R Petersen, Tessa E Krantz  1 , Cara S Ninivaggio  1 , Peter C Jeppson  1 , Kate V Meriwether  1 , Gena C Dunivan  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Women With Overactive Bladder or Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Yuko M Komesu et al. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in women with overactive bladder (OAB) or interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) to age-matched controls.

Methods: This case-control study compared numbers and types of ACEs in women with OAB or IC/BPS compared with controls based on the Center for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ACE Module. Participants completed demographic forms, condition-specific symptom questionnaires, and the ACE Module (11 questions summarizing traumatic exposures occurring before the age of 18 years). Cases and controls were compared using χ2 and t tests, significance level P < 0.05.

Results: Three hundred twenty-two women were enrolled from April 2018 to March 2019; OAB = 91 cases and 91 controls, IC/BPS = 70 cases and 70 controls. Overactive bladder group's mean age was 56 ± 13 years, and IC/BPS was 46 ± 13 years. Compared with controls, OAB and IC/BPS cases differed in race/ethnicity and education (P < 0.02), history of substance abuse (P ≤ 0.03), and median numbers of ACEs (OAB 3, controls 1; IC/BPS 4, controls 2, P < 0.01). Cases had increased odds of having 4 or more ACEs, a parameter known to be associated with poor health and longevity, and increased greater than 2-fold in OAB and greater than 7-fold in IC/BPS. Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome cases had notably increased odds of exposure to abuse (physical/emotional/sexual) and witnessed domestic violence (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Overactive bladder and IC/BPS cases reported increased ACE exposures; more than one-third of OAB and more than IC/BPS cases reported 4 or more ACES, a threshold associated with poor health outcomes. Recognition of increased childhood adversity in OAB and IC/BPS has important treatment and health implications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Y.K. received research funding support from Cook-Myosite and Eunice Shriver NICHD. C.N. received research funding support from Cook-Myosite. P.J. is a consultant for Ethicon. K.M. received Society of Gynecologic Surgeons board member travel reimbursement, Elsevier royalties for editing and authorship, and is consultant for RBI Medical. G.D. received research funding support from Pelvalon and Viveve and travel reimbursement from ACOG and ABOG. The other authors have declared they have no conflicts of interest.

Comment in

References

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