Impact of self-perceived bothersomeness on health-related quality of life in women with overactive bladder symptoms.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of self-perceived bothersomeness of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms on the health-related quality of life (QOL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 92 women with a mean age of 53.3 (range 23-79) years suffering from OAB were included in the study. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) were used to assess the QOL. The patients were divided into two groups according to the bothersomeness degree of OAB: 'low' and 'moderate' to 'high'.

RESULTS

The SF-36 and the KHQ scores of the patients were significantly different from those of the controls (p <0.05), except for three domains of the SF-36. No difference in the results of the frequency-volume charts was observed between the two patient groups. The scores of the SF-36 and the KHQ domains did not correlate with the data of the frequency-volume charts. Significant differences were found between the two patient groups for most domains of the SF-36 (p <0.05). Significant differences were also detected in most domains of the KHQ (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Objective data are not a sensitive tool for measuring the QOL in women with OAB symptoms. Our findings suggest that patient-perceived bothersomeness significantly influences QOL and that strategies for assessing bothersomeness should be developed to evaluate the QOL in these patients.