Risk factors for overactive bladder in the elderly population: A community-based study with face-to-face interview

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of and risk factors for overactive bladder (OAB) in the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study of elderly subjects was conducted by analyzing data from a community-based Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment on people aged 70 years or older. Trained interviewers performed face-to-face interviews for the assessment of urological symptoms. OAB definition was based on urgency and eight or more episodes of urination per day. The subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire including lifestyle evaluation, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini-Mental Status Examination and medical history. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was recorded to assess atherosclerotic disease. The analysis included 833 subjects, after the exclusion of 115 subjects who provided insufficient information. Results: Based on the definition of OAB, 153 subjects (18.4%) were identified as having OAB. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between OAB and depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of having OAB was significantly higher in subjects with depressive symptoms, current drinkers, and overweight subjects with odds ratios of 2.37 (1.60-3.52, 95% confidence interval), 1.65 (1.04-2.62), and 1.51 (1.02-2.24), respectively. Conclusions: This is the first report to show an association between OAB and depressive symptoms and alcohol intake in an epidemiological study of elderly people. The reasons for these correlations remain unclear, but should be the foci of future OAB studies.