Related Experiment Videos
Prevalence of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence
Fabio Parazzini1, Maurizio Lavezzari, Walter Arbitani
1Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Prima Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologia, Università di Milano, Italy. parazzini@marionegri.it
The Journal of Family Practice
|January 24, 2003
Summary
This study found overactive bladder symptoms in 3.0% of men and 1.1% of women, while urinary incontinence affected 8.3% of men and 10.2% of women in Italy.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Epidemiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) are common conditions affecting quality of life.
- Prevalence data for these conditions in primary care settings are crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence in a large cohort of Italian men and women visiting general practitioners.
- To analyze the frequency of these lower urinary tract symptoms by sex and age.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 9613 men (≥50 years) and 13,365 women (≥40 years) recruited from 774 general practices in Italy.
- Participants were surveyed regarding the frequency of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence symptoms.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of overactive bladder was 3.0% in men and 1.1% in women.
- Urinary incontinence was reported by 8.3% of men and 10.2% of women.
- Higher prevalence of UI was observed in women compared to men.
Conclusions:
- Overactive bladder and urinary incontinence represent significant health issues within the Italian primary care population.
- The findings highlight a higher burden of urinary incontinence in women, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.