Abstract
Purpose: We investigated the prevalence, correlates, perception of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and doctor-consultation behavior among community adults. Subjects and Methods: This urological survey was part of a government-supported health utilization project conducted in Matsu, Taiwan. Participants (n = 1,827) completed a questionnaire collecting information on OAB, which was defined as urgency with either frequency or nocturia. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of OAB was 16.9%, including 4.5% with urge incontinence. Age (p = 0.002), diabetes (p = 0.03), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (p < 0.001) in men, whereas diabetes (p = 0.01), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.03), stress incontinence (p < 0.001), and recurrent lower urinary tract infections (p = 0.02) in women were factors independently associated with OAB. Most people with OAB (69.0%) perceived little bother; only 13.0% had consulted doctors for this problem. Conclusion: Symptoms related to OAB are common among community-dwelling adults, yet most perceive it as a minor problem. Our results identify several factors that are significantly associated with OAB.