Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Overactive Bladder in Chinese University Students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in young adults and to explore the influence of OAB on mental health.

Between October 2019 and January 2020, 14,010 anonymous questionnaires were distributed to freshmen at 2 universities in Henan, China. The students came from all over the country. The questionnaire included general items and information necessary to calculate the overactive bladder symptom score, the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Self-Esteem Scale (SES) score, and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score. The relationships between the prevalence of OAB and its risk factors were evaluated.

The overall prevalence of OAB was 6.0%, with 4.3% of participants characterized as having dry OAB and 1.7% as having wet OAB. The prevalence of mild OAB was 5.5%, and that of moderate OAB was 0.5%; no severe OAB was observed. Higher prevalence rates of OAB were found among women, respondents with constipation, and respondents with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) (P <0.05). Compared to healthy controls, the OAB group exhibited a higher mean SDS score (52.12±8.986 vs. 47.71±9.399, P<0.001) and mean PSQI score (5.28±2.486 vs. 4.27±2.431, P<0.001), but a lower mean SES score (27.78±3.599 vs. 29.57±4.109, P<0.001).

OAB significantly affects the mental health of young adults. Female sex, constipation, and PNE are risk factors for OAB.

International neurourology journal. 2022 Dec 30 [Epub]

Yu Liang, Guo Wei Si, Hui Jie Hu, Zhen Wei Zhang, Cui Ping Song, Qi Feng Dou, Jian Guo Wen

First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China., Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China., Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.