Overactive bladder in elderly men: epidemiology, evaluation, clinical effects, and management

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent clinical condition in both men and women, and rates tend to increase with advancing age. A variety of different evaluation methods have been developed to measure both objective and subjective parameters of the condition. OAB has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, particularly in older adults, including depression, social isolation, and impairments of both general and health-related quality of life. Options for treatment include behavioral therapies, medications, and surgical treatments such as chemodenervation. Combined symptoms of OAB and benign prostatic enlargement have recently gained increased research attention. This article reviews recently published literature on epidemiology, evaluation, clinical impacts, and management of OAB, with a focus on elderly men.