Overactive bladder in women: symptom impact and treatment expectations

The objectives of this survey were to understand (1) the effects of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) on women's lives and to understand (2) women's needs and expectations of health care providers and treatment related to these disorders.

Women (N = 1046) with self-reported symptoms of UI completed a survey via electronic mail about the impact of urinary symptoms, health care provider interactions, treatment practices and expectations, and co-morbid conditions.

The majority of women rated urinary symptoms such as frequency (61%), urgency (80%), nocturia (72%), and UI (69%-88% by type of incontinence) as moderately or extremely bothersome. Over half of women with UI (55%) had not sought medical treatment, but instead used a variety of non-medical coping mechanisms for symptom management. More than one third of women (37%) would prefer that their health care provider initiate discussion about urinary symptoms. Approximately half of the women with UI in this survey desired a greater than 70% reduction in incontinence episodes in order to consider treatment effective.

Women are making an effort to cope with disruptive symptoms of OAB. However, a communication gap between health care providers and patients with urinary symptoms may be a barrier to appropriate medical therapy. Health care providers should routinely query patients about urinary symptoms. In addition to choosing a medical treatment that can produce a meaningful reduction in symptoms, health care providers should set expectations for patients and monitor patient satisfaction with the prescribed treatment regimen.