A community-based epidemiological survey of overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction in female Taiwanese residents aged 40 years and above

Objective This is part of a three-year study designed to evaluate the natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms in local community residents aged 40 years and above in central Taiwan. We evaluated the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and voiding dysfunction (VD) in female residents using validated questionnaires. Materials and Methods A structured questionnaire containing groups of different questionnaires was translated into Chinese and each one was validated separately. A trained research assistant interviewed the participants and assisted in filling in the questionnaires. Residents were recorded to have OAB if the total OABSS score was≧4. Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) was defined as urine leakage preceded by the feeling of urgency which is slightly or more distressful. VD was defined as feeling of difficulty in emptying the bladder which is slightly or more distressful. Results A total of 2411 community residents aged 40 years and above who completed all the questionnaires in the initial survey were recruited, of which 1469(60.9%) were women. The prevalence of OAB, UUI and VD were 33.1%, 26.8% and 28.3% respectively in the female community residents. Age≧60 (OR, 1.5; 95%CI, 1.1–2.0), menopause (OR1.4; 95% CI, 1.0–1.9) and a history of diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2–2.8) were the risk factors for OAB. Age≧60 (OR, 1.4; 95%CI, 1.0–1.9), BMI ≧25 (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.7) and instrument deliveries (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0–2.1) were the risk factors for VD. Conclusion Our results imply that the prevalence of overactive bladder and voiding difficulty are high in female community residents aged ≧ 40 years in central Taiwan.