Prevalence of probable overactive bladder in a private obstetrics and gynecology group practice

To examine the prevalence of probable overactive bladder (OAB) in black, Hispanic, and white women.

This was a cross-sectional survey of women (aged > or = 18 years) presenting to a private obstetrics and gynecology group practice. The survey consisted of the Overactive Bladder-Validated 8 (OAB-V8) and other questions related to ethnicity, health history, desire for treatment, and reason for visit.

The OAB-V8 is a validated, eight-item, self-administered questionnaire that assesses the degree of bother associated with OAB symptoms. Subjects scoring > or = 8 on the OAB-V8 were considered to have probable OAB.

A total of 947 women completed the OAB-V8: 82% were black, 10% were white, and 4% were Hispanic. The prevalence of probable OAB was similar among different races/ethnicities, with 35% of black, 36% of Hispanic, and 30% of white women scoring > or = 8 on the OAB-V8. Micturition frequency, nocturia, and waking up at night were the most bothersome symptoms. History of constipation, history of urinary tract infection, and number of pregnancies were independent risk factors for probable OAB. Thirty-five percent of patients with probable OAB and 5% of those without OAB desired information about OAB treatment options; however, only 5% of patients reported visiting their doctor for reasons related to their bladder symptoms.

OAB is prevalent among black, white, and Hispanic women. Using a simple OAB awareness tool, such as the OAB-V8, can help clinicians identify patients with bothersome OAB symptoms who could benefit from treatment. The survey results may have been limited by incorrect self-reported responses, the demographics of the population, and incomplete surveys.