OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of treatments prescribed in usual practice to control Overactive Bladder (OAB) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with associated pathologies.
METHODS: 1.434 patients over 60 years with newly diagnosed OAB and at least one associated pathology (urinary or genital-skin infections, sleep disorders, depression, hypertension) were recruited in 300 urological/gynecological practices in Spain. During the first visit, socio-demographic and basic clinical information were registered and the therapeutic strategy for OAB was prescribed following usual clinical practice The patients filled out the HRQoL SF-12 questionnaire. On the second visit (4-6 months later) the HRQoL was re-evaluated. HRQoL was compared between sexes (Mann-Whitney) and between visits (Wilcoxon for related samples). Multiple regression models were performed in order to study the variables independently associated with HRQoL.
RESULTS: Valid data is given for 1,274 patients for visit 1 and 1,153 for visit 2. 71.51% of the sample were female. Mean age was 68.17 (6.19). A significant improvement in the HRQoL was found on the second visit. Factors independently associated with lower score in both summary index of SF-12: first visit, female gender and Charlson Index. Additional factors associated with reduction of the physical component score: age, all associated pathologies and treatment using vaginal pessaries. Additional factors associated with the mental component score: treatment for depression, sleep disorders, use of vesical reeducation and the modification of treatment using diuretics.
CONCLUSIONS: The treatments prescribed in usual clinical practice to alleviate OAB are effective in notably improving the HRQoL of patients in general, both physically and mentally.
Written by:
Espuña-Pons M, Castro-Díaz D, Díaz-Cuervo H, Pérez M. Are you the author?
Instituto Clínico de Ginecología y Obstetricia (ICGON), Hospital Clínico. Barcelona, Spain.
Reference: Arch Esp Urol. 2013 Apr;66(3):287-294.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23648748
Article in English, Spanish.
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