This study aimed to assess the impact of overactive bladder on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a community-based sample of Korean population.
The data of adults aged 19 and over that who participated in the 2012 Korean Community Health Survey were analyzed. Overactive bladder severity was classified as normal, mild, moderate, or severe using the Overactive Bladder Symptom scores, and HRQoL was evaluated using EQ-5D-3L. Relations between HRQoL and the severities and symptoms of OAB were investigated. Sampling weighted adjusted multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of OAB symptom severity on HRQoL.
Of the 226,867 study subjects, 12,303 (5.4%) had OAB, and 552 (0.2%) had an OABSS of ≥ 12, indicating severe OAB. The problem -reporting rate significantly increased in all EQ-5D-3L dimensions as OAB severity increased. After adjusting for other variables, OAB severity had a significant effect on EQ-5D-3L index. Urge incontinence had greatest impact on quality of life.
As the severity of OAB increased from mild to severe, quality of life decreased significantly. OAB was found to negatively affect HRQoL.
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation. 2020 Nov 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Sang-Kyu Kim, Seon-Ha Kim
Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju-si, Republic of Korea., Department of Nursing, Dankook University College of Nursing, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongam-gu, Cheonan, Chungnam, 31116, Republic of Korea. .