RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a common disorder in primary care that affects negatively on the quality of life of outpatients. However, little information is available on related factors and the quality of life in adults with overactive bladder. The purpose of this study was to find related factors of overactive bladder and to measure the quality of life in adults with overactive bladder. METHODS: Among the people who visited a hospital in Seoul and Chung-ju for a health examination or primary care between October 1 and December 31, 2008, we selected 327 participants over 20 years old. We measured their Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), took medical history and reviewed their demographic data. The relationship between OAB, other independent variables and health related quality of life (HRQL) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 327 respondents, the prevalence of OAB in adults was 38 (11.6%). The factors related to OAB were age (P = 0.007), history of prescription for congestive heart failure (P = 0.023), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (P = 0.002), and depression (P = 0.008). OAB was significantly associated with BPH medication (P = 0.042; OR = 8.757) and depression medication (P = 0.005; OR = 9.977) in multivariable logistic regression analysis. In each T-test analysis, OAB decreased in HRQL. CONCLUSION: OAB is a common disorder in adults, history of BPH medication and depression medication is more common in OAB. The symptoms that were suggestive of OAB were affected negatively on the quality of life in adults. Effective health care polices and prompt management of OAB should be implemented.