OBJECTIVES - (1) To compare the systemic (non-urologic) symptoms between OAB patients and subjects without OAB; (2) compare the urinary symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial measures between the two subgroups of OAB patients who had high versus low systemic symptom burden.
MATERIALS AND METHODS - Patients diagnosed with OAB (n=51) and age-matched individuals without OAB (n=30) were administered the Polysymptomatic, Polysyndromic Questionnaire (PSPS-Q) to assess the numbers and distribution of systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems. Validated instruments were administered to evaluate their urinary symptoms (ICIQ-UI, ICIQ-OAB, OAB-q, USS), quality of life (UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-q), and psychosocial difficulties (depression, anxiety, stress, sexual trauma, sleep, fatigue). OAB patients were divided into two subgroups (with and without widespread systemic symptoms) and their responses were compared.
RESULTS - OAB patients reported significantly more systemic (non-urologic) symptoms compared to controls (17.5 ± 12.3 versus 6.4 ± 7.9 symptoms, p<0.001). Differences were observed across multiple organ systems (neurological, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, sexual, musculoskeletal, and gynecological, p<0.05). About a third of OAB patients (31.4%) reported widespread systemic symptoms across multiple organ systems (mean 32.0 symptoms). The presence of widespread systemic symptoms among OAB patients was correlated with worse incontinence/OAB symptoms (ICIQ-UI, OAB-q), poorer quality of life (UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-q), and more psychosocial difficulties (depression, anxiety, fatigue, and higher stress, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS - The increased presence of non-urologic symptoms in OAB suggests an underlying systemic etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms that may contribute to OAB. This study highlights the importance of understanding systemic factors in urologic conditions otherwise thought to be organ-specific.
The Journal of urology. 2016 Mar 17 [Epub ahead of print]
H Henry Lai, Joel Vetter, Sanjay Jain, Gerald L Andriole
Division of Urologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Division of Urologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA., Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA., Division of Urologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.