22 million suffer overactive bladder discomfort in Europe
A trans-European study has found that more than three-quarters of people with overactive bladders (OAB) have their daily lives restricted by the condition, but only 43 per cent of those people would consult a doctor. Men are more likely to express concern than women. A total of 11,521 people from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK aged between 40 and 64 took part in the study. OAB strikes up to one-sixth of the population, with symptoms including the need to urinate urgently during both the day and night and sometimes urinary incontinence. In addition to the symptoms, lead researcher Debra E Irwin said, '32 per cent of the people interviewed said that their condition made them depressed and 28 per cent reported feeling stressed. Yet 48 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men felt that it was not a valid medical condition.' These alarming statistics suggest that for people over the age of 40, a considerable number will be in some discomfort or distress because of the condition. For every 100 people between the ages of 40 and 54, between 11 and 13 people will have OAB, but feel it is simply part of the ageing process. In addition to the discomfort that people with OAB feel, at work, 21 per cent were concerned with interrupting meetings and three per cent had changed job or been fired because of the condition. Socially, 28 per cent felt uncomfortable away from home, 22 per cent felt uncomfortable with people they did not know, and 20 per cent felt uncomfortable with people they did know. The researchers, from the US, Sweden and the UK, have found that OAB, 'Whether it is with or without incontinence, has a significant effect on people's lives, including negative effects on their emotional well-being and their ability to feel at ease at work or in social situations. Our findings indicate that there is considerable scope for improving how doctors diagnose and treat this condition and for encouraging people with OAB to seek medical care,' said Dr Irwin. OAB affects more than 22 million people throughout Europe.
Countries
Germany, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States