[Assessment of symptoms severity in patients with overactive bladder]

Symptoms severity was assessed in 533 patients with urinary bladder overactivity (mean age 56.4 +/- 0.6 years). All the patients kept urination diary for 3 days, some patients filled in KHQ questionnaire to find out quality of life, were examined urodynamically. Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms were studied in 52 patients before and after 12 weeks of solifenacin treatment in a dose 5 mg/day. The statistical analysis identified three degrees of OAB symptoms. The severity was calculated according to the formula in points (S): S = 2 x number of urinations for 3 days + number of urges for 3 days + 1*(*--in the presence of urgent urine incontinence). In 62 points and less the diagnosis was "mild severity" of the symptoms (degree 1), in 63-80 points--"moderate severity" (degree 2), in 80 points and more--"great severity" (degree 3). Of 533 patients, 119 (22.3%) had symptoms of degree 1, 148 (27.8%)--of degree 2, 266 (49.9%)--of degree 3. The patients with more severe disease had more distinct changes in urodynamic indices and worse quality of life. Solifenacin treatment reduced severity of the symptoms in most patients treated. Before solifenacin administration degrees 1, 2 and 3 of the symptoms severity were detected in 12 (23.1%), 13 (25.0%) and 27 (51.9%) patients, respectively. After treatment--in 26 (50.0%), 16 (30.8%) and 6 (11.5%) patients, respectively. OAB symptoms were absent in 4 (7.7%) patients. Thus, it is shown that the proposed system of the system assessment reflects severity of OAB clinical symptoms, the degree of urodynamic disorders and deterioration of quality of life. This classification system can be used for follow-up assessment of OAB symptoms in the treatment process. It is simple and perspective for wide application.