Prevalence and Possible Risk Factors of Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Women Living in the City of Izmir

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and possible risk factors of overactive bladder symptoms (OABS) among women living in a western city of Turkiye, Izmir. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire and the validated Overactive Bladder Symptom Score were filled by urologists with face-to-face interview. The prevalence of OABS and independent possible risk factors of OABS such as age, obesity, systemic diseases, educational level, marital status and number of births were analyzed. The participants with OABS and without OABS were compared in terms of possible risk factors. Results: A total of 719 women were included and the prevalence of OABS was 42.8% in our study. The prevalence of OABS with urinary incontinence (UI) (OAB(wet)) was 69.2% and the prevalence of OABS without UI (OAB(dry)) was 30.8% and nocturia was the most common OABS besides urgency. There was a statistically significant association between OABS and presence of nocturia and UI types (r=0.363, p<0.001, r=0.568, p<0.001). The key risk factors for OABS according to multivariate analysis were obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, marital status and lower education level. Conclusion: The prevalence of OABS was 42.8% among adult Turkish women in the city of Izmir. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lower education and being married were significantly related to OABS in women.