Overactive bladder (OAB) is prevalent among older adults and may substantially affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to describe HRQoL status among community-dwelling older adults with OAB and examine the relationship between OAB symptom severity and HRQoL.
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 12,212 participants aged ≥ 65 years in the Yamagata Cohort Study (2021-2022). Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. OAB was assessed using the OABSS (total score ≥ 3 and urgency score ≥ 2), and HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-5L utility score and EQ VAS. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and comorbidities.
Participants with OAB (n = 2,864, 27.9%) had significantly lower EQ-5D-5L utility scores (β = - 0.057; 95% CI - 0.063, - 0.052) and EQ VAS scores (β = - 4.882; 95% CI - 5.579, - 4.184) compared to those without OAB. This disutility exceeded the minimally important difference. HRQoL declined progressively with increasing OAB severity, with the most pronounced impact observed in the 65-69-year age group. Urgency and urgency urinary incontinence showed the strongest negative relationships with HRQoL. The self-care dimension was most affected (OR 2.457; 95% CI 2.115, 2.853).
OAB is prevalent among community-dwelling older Japanese adults and is associated with clinically meaningful HRQoL reductions. These findings suggest the importance of early detection and severity-based, symptom-specific management, particularly targeting urgency and incontinence (e.g., β3-stimulants, behavioral therapy).
Overactive bladder (OAB) is common among older adults, yet its relationship with quality of life in the Japanese elderly remains understudied. We analyzed data from over 10,000 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older in Yamagata Prefecture. After accounting for other health conditions, we examined how OAB symptoms relate to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D-5L. We found that OAB was associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in HRQoL, which progressively worsened with symptom severity. Notably, the negative association was inconsistent across age groups; it was strongest in the relatively younger 65–69 age group, where those with OAB had quality of life levels comparable to much older individuals. Urgency and urgency urinary incontinence were most strongly linked to problems with self-care and usual activities. Early detection and targeted management are essential to support healthy aging.
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation. 2026 Jun 08*** epublish ***
Norihiko Tsuchiya, Mayu Yagi, Hayato Nishida, Sei Naito, Atsushi Yamagishi, Takafumi Narisawa, Hiroki Fukuhara, Yuki Takai, Shinta Suenaga, Suguru Ito, Tsuneo Konta, Satoru Nagase
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan. ., Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida-Nishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan., Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan., Well-Being Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan.