Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice
Published on: April 27, 2014
Overactive bladder: prevalence and implications in Brazil
Claudio Teloken1, Fernanda Caraver, Fernanda A Weber
1Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre e Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Objectives:
To assess overactive bladder (OAB) prevalence, associated factors and implications in a young population.
Methods:
An independent population-based study was carried out. A self-applicative questionnaire covering urinary symptoms, coping strategies, quality of life and treatment seeking behavior was developed.
Results:
A total of 848 subjects between 15 and 55 years completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of OAB was 18.9%. Women were significantly more affected than men (p = 0.001). All age groups were equally affected (p = 0.152). Subjects with OAB reported significant impairment on household chores (p = 0.009), physical activities (p = 0.016), sleep (p < 0.001), work (p < 0.001), social life (p < 0.001) and sexual life (p < 0.001). In addition, OAB individuals present higher prevalence of depression (p = 0.036), anxiety (p < 0.001), shame (p < 0.001) and tiredness (p < 0.001) OAB was independently associated to sexual life impairment (OR = 3.36, 95% CI=1.20-9.39). Only 27.5% of OAB subjects sought for medical counseling.
Conclusions:
OAB is a highly prevalent condition, even in such a young population. It affects both genders, yet it is more frequently observed in women. OAB is an important health condition, with serious impact on quality of life and sexual function. A large percentual of individuals remain unrecognized, under treated and consequently suffer for long periods of time.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Bladder
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

