Impact of overactive bladder symptoms on work activity: The ACTIVHA study

Area of Science:

• Urology and Gynaecology
• Occupational Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition affecting many working-age adults.
• OAB symptoms can significantly disrupt daily life and professional activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms on the work activity of patients in Spain.
• To identify which OAB symptoms most significantly affect occupational performance.

Main Methods:

• An observational, multicentre cross-sectional study involving 768 working-age patients diagnosed with OAB in Spain.
• Data collected included sociodemographic, clinical, and work activity information using the B-SAQ and WPAI-GH questionnaires.
• Analysis stratified effects by sex and the presence of urgent urination and urinary incontinence (UI).

Main Results:

• Frequent urination (59.8%) was the symptom most affecting work activity.
• Patients reported a 32% impact on work during the workday, rising to 41% for those with urgent urination and UI.
• A 6.5% loss of work time was reported, increasing to 9.9% for patients experiencing urgent urination and UI.

Conclusions:

• OAB symptoms demonstrably reduce work productivity and increase absenteeism.
• Urgent urination and urinary incontinence are key drivers of this occupational impairment.
• Targeted interventions for these specific symptoms could mitigate the economic and personal burden of OAB.