Evaluation of Overactive Bladder in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with a Questionaire-Based Study

Aim: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common and well-known urologic condition. OAB occurs in both women and men. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common metabolic disorders in the world and the prevalence of DM in adults has been increasing. Diabetic neuropathy can induce functional disease of multiple organs, including diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD). DBD occurs commonly as a late complication and DBD is mainly characterized by poor bladder emptying, urinary retention and overflow incontinence. However, storage symptoms, as those suggestive for OAB may also affect people with DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of OAB in people with DM compared to healthy control subjects. Methods: We analyzed records of 212 diabetic case and 229 control subjects using the 8-item symptom bother scale of the OAB questionnaire (OAB-q) (OAB-V8). Results: Diabetic bladder overactivity was seen in 20.3% of patients with DM (n=43) and 10.5% of non-diabetic control group (n=24). The OAB prevalence in patients with DM was approximately two-fold higher than in control subjects. OAB increased with the duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin level and age. There was no significant difference in sex distribution between the groups. There is an increase in the prevalence type 2 diabetes in Turkey. DM is a common cause of reduced bladder sensation in both men and women. In this study, OAB syndrome in diabetic patients was searched. DBD is characterized by underactive (flaccid) bladder, voiding difficulty, infrequent voiding and reduced bladder sensation during urinary storage; bladder underactivity and urinary retention during urination. OAB in diabetic patients is characterized by urgency (a compelling and sudden desire to void), with or without incontinence, usually with urinary frequency and nocturia. Conclusion: OAB symptoms are more prevalent in diabetic people than in healthy people. OAB symptoms in DM may be considered as a predictor of the development of diabetic neuropathy. Thus, controlling the progression of DM might reduce the incidence of diabetic neuropathy and other late diabetic complications.