Overactive bladder symptoms are a factor that significantly reduces the quality of life (QOL) and causes social life and sleep disturbances due to urgency, frequent urination, and nocturia, and OAB can cause depression and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Although OAB itself is not life-threatening, it can lower the quality of life of an individual and make social life difficult due to the absence of symptoms such as falls. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and the correlation between overactive bladder symptoms and quality of life (QOL) among Korean adults in the community.

The original data was from the 2012 Community Health Survey, and the study sample comprised 2,951 adults aged 50 years and older. Data collection was conducted from August 16 to October 31, 2012, through an interview done by a trained investigator. Respondents were queried about demographic characteristics, overactive bladder symptoms (measured via the overactive bladder symptom score [OABSS] consisting of 4 questions regarding the OAB questionnaire), and QOL as assessed by use of the EQ-5D Index. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to test the relationship between OAB and QOL.

Of all adults, mean age was 65.44 ± 9.91. The mean OABSS of OAB was 2.04 ± 2.50 (range 0 ~ 16), and the mean EQ-5D score was 0.89 ± 0.89 (range -1 ~ 1). The prevalence of OAB in the subjects was 10.61%. Concerning the reported severity of OAB, 91.2% of the subjects were in the mild group, 7.9% in the moderate group, and 0.9% in the severe group. OAB was significantly correlated with EQ-5D (r = – 0.37, p <0.000).

The results showed that OAB in the adult subjects of this study showed a significant correlation with lower quality of life.

It is thought that the quality of life can be improved by managing OAB symptoms well. In addition, if an overactive bladder is treated correctly, it can reduce medical costs and improve the family's and society's quality of life.

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Overactive bladder and sleep disturbance have a significant effect on indoor falls: Results from the community health survey in Japan. Konishi S, Hatakeyama S, Imai A, Kumagai M, Okita K, Togashi K, et al. Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. 2021;13(1):56-63. https://doi.org/10.1111/luts.12326