Severe depression and anxiety in women with overactive bladder

Aim

Depression and anxiety are prevalent psychiatric conditions and are associated with overactive bladder. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression associated with overactive bladder (OAB) in women.

Methods

274 women with clinical diagnosis of OAB were recruited from 2012 to 2015. They were submitted to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Overactive Bladder (ICIQ‐OAB), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Results

Severe or moderate depression was present in 59.8% of women and severe or moderate anxiety was identified in 62.4%. Higher scores of depression and anxiety were associated with higher scores of ICIQ‐OAB (P = 0.0031 and 0.0049). Women with severe depression had higher nocturia score than those with mild depression (P = 0.0046). Also, women with severe depression had higher urgency incontinence score than those with minimal depression (P = 0.0261). Patients with severe anxiety had higher nocturia score than those with minimal anxiety (P = 0.0118) and women with moderate anxiety had higher urgency incontinence score than with minimal anxiety (P = 0.0300).

Conclusions

Moderate or severe depression and anxiety are prevalent in women with OAB. There is a correlation between intensity of OAB symptoms with depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression levels are mainly related with urgency incontinence and nocturia.