Gait speed and overactive bladder in the healthy community-dwelling super elderly: The Sukagawa Study

The objective of this study is to assess the association of muscle mass, grip strength, and gait speed with overactive bladder (OAB) in community-dwelling elderly adults.

This cross-sectional study was based on the data collected from 350 Japanese healthy community-dwelling elderly individuals aged 75 years or older from the Sukagawa Study. Muscle mass (kg) was measured by bioelectrical impedance, whereas grip strength (kg) and gait speed (m/s) were measured by performance testing. Muscle mass and grip strength were corrected for body mass index (BMI). The primary outcome was the presence of OAB, evaluated using the OAB symptom score.

Of the 314 participants analyzed, 146 (47%) were men and 88 (28%) presented with OAB. The mean (SD) BMI, muscle mass, grip strength, and gait speed were 23.2 (3.2) kg/m ² , 38.4 (7.5) kg, 26.6 (8.1) kg, and 1.2 (0.2) m/s, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that slower gait speed was associated with a greater likelihood of OAB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per -1 SD, 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.95). No significant associations between muscle mass or grip strength and OAB were noted (aOR per -1 SD, 0.75, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.41-1.37, 0.62-1.72, respectively). Slower gait speed was also associated with higher likelihood of urgency and urgency incontinence (aOR per -1 SD, 1.35, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.74, 1.06-1.84, respectively).

In the healthy community-dwelling elderly, gait speed was associated with OAB, including urgency and urgency incontinence. Our findings may provide a new framework for OAB management with respect to functional mobility.