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The association between overactive bladder (OAB) and irritable.bowel syndrome (IBS)
OAB and IBS, both of which are disorders that diminish the quality of life, are pathologically characterized by overactivity (irritability) of the bladder and bowel, respectively. Animal experiments have shown that hyperesthesia of the bladder is seen in a colitis-associated colon-hyperalgesia model in the rat and that colon hyperalgesia is seen in the cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis model of the rat. In addition, the bladder and large intestine are reported to share, in part, common afferent nerve projections suggesting the presence of a neural cross talk between these 2 organs. This has raised the possibility that OAB and IBS may share common pathologic features. We investigated the concomitant occurrence of OAB and IBS among Japanese adults through an Internet survey about urine storage symptoms and defecation habits.
Questionnaires were sent via the Internet to 500 000 Japanese adults. The overactive bladder symptom score was used for screening OAB, and the Japanese version of the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of IBS was used for screening this syndrome. Overall prevalence of OAB and IBS was 9.3% and 21.2%, respectively. Among the subjects with OAB, 33.3% had concurrent IBS. According to gender, 9.7% of men and 8.9% of women had OAB, while 18.6% of men and 23.9% of women had IBS. Concurrent IBS was noted in 32.0% of men and 34.8% of women with OAB.
In conclusion, OAB and IBS are pathologically characterized by overactivity (irritability) of the bladder and bowel, respectively. The present survey shows that OAB is complicated by IBS, particularly in about one-third of OAB patients. On the basis of these results, it seems to be important to assess the defecation habits of patients when diagnosing and treating OAB, especially younger patients with OAB. It is also necessary to elucidate what impact IBS has on treatment outcome of patients with OAB.
Written by:
Seiji Matsumoto, MD, PhD as part of Beyond the Abstract on UroToday.com. This initiative offers a method of publishing for the professional urology community. Authors are given an opportunity to expand on the circumstances, limitations etc... of their research by referencing the published abstract.
Asahikawa Medical University
Renal and Urological Surgery
2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka-Higashi
Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
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