Analysis of the prevalence of and factors associated with overactive bladder in adult Korean women

BACKGROUND Overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the most prevalent lower urinary tract conditions and has been suggested to be related to various factors. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with OAB in women based on a large cross-sectional, population-based study of adult Korean women. METHODS The Korean community health survey (KCHS) of 2012 was reviewed, and 107,950 female participants aged 19 to 107 years were identified for inclusion in this study. The overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was used to define and classify OAB as mild, moderate, or severe. Numerous variables, including marital status; physical activity; education and income levels; type of occupation; body mass index (BMI); smoking; alcohol; sleep time; and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or cerebral stroke, were evaluated. The correlation of these variables with the prevalence of OAB was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. RESULTS The results showed that 5.2% of adult women experienced OAB. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the following variables and OAB: older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39-1.50, P < 0.001 as 10 years older); married status (AOR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.70-0.96, P = 0.016); lower level of income (AOR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.34-1.68, P < 0.001); high BMI (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.23-1.44, P < 0.001); smoking (AOR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.04-1.47, P < 0.001); long sleep time (AOR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.69-2.26); and medical history of hypertension (AOR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03-1.21, P = 0.011), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.25-1.53, P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (AOR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.16-1.39, P < 0.001), and cerebral stroke (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.73-2.41, P < 0.001). The level of stress showed a dose-dependent association with OAB (AOR [95%CI] = 3.28 [2.81-3.83] > 2.11 [1.91-2.33] >1.28 [1.16-1.41] for severe > moderate > some stress, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The prevalence of OAB was approximately 5.2% among adult Korean women. Older age; high BMI; stress level; sleep duration; levels of income and education; marital status; smoking; and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cerebral stroke were significantly related to OAB in women.