Prevalence of the overactive bladder among Iranian women based on the International Continence Society definition: a population-based study

There is a continuing debate on the accurate prevalence estimates of overactive bladder (OAB) among different ethnicities and regions. The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of OAB, associated risk factors, and the impact of OAB on the quality of life and sexual function of Iranian women. A total of 8748 women between 15 and 55 years of age enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The definition of the 2002 International Continence Society (ICS) was applied to assess the prevalence of OAB. All participants underwent a detailed history and physical examination that included an evaluation of quality of life, coping strategies and treatment-seeking behavior, laboratory tests, urinalysis and current or previous therapy. The degree of bother was quantified using s visual analog scale (VAS). The overall prevalence of OAB was found to be 18.2% and increased with age from 10.9% in adults aged 15–29 years to 26.2% in those aged >50 years old (test for trend, P = 0.001). A negative impact of OAB on sexual function was reported by 72.3% of the women. Frequency was the most commonly reported symptom (67% of women), followed by urgency (54%). Subjects with OAB had a higher prevalence of anxiety (28.2 vs. 8.8%; P = 0.001), depression (38.2 vs. 18.2%; P = 0.02) and tiredness (16.4 vs. 2.7%; P = 0.001), and they reported significant impairment in carrying out household chores (P = 0.01), physical activities (P = 0.01) and work-related activities (P = 0.01) as well as negative effects on education (P = 0.02), sleep (P = 0.001), relationships (P = 0.001) and annual income (P = 0.01). The prevalence of OAB in Iranian women is higher than that reported in many previous studies in developed and developing countries. Our results reveal that OAB is a highly prevalent condition among Iranian women and that is has a serious impact on quality of life and sexual function.