A New Perspective on the Etiology of Overactive Bladder Syndrome - Could Overactive Bladder Syndrome Be Associated With Altered Perception of Somatic Sensations as a Result of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? A Case-Control Study

Sep 7, 2026

This case-control study examines whether obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), altered perception of bodily sensations, and somatization contribute to the etiology of overactive bladder (OAB). The study enrolled 63 female OAB patients and 61 age-matched healthy female controls. Participants completed the OAB Questionnaire-V8, Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-44, Body Sensations Questionnaire, and Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Results showed no group differences in age, education, or marital status, while OAB patients had higher questionnaire scores and significant positive correlations among OABQ-V8, OBQ-44, body sensation, and amplification measures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Original Article Int Neurourol J 2025;29(1):48-55 [https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2448390.195](https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2448390.195)[ ](https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2448390.195)pISSN 2093-4777 · eISSN 2093-6931 A New Perspective on the Etiology of Overactive Bladder Syndrome—Could Overactive Bladder Syndrome Be Associated With Altered Perception of Somatic Sensations as a Result of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? A Case-Control Study Tuncay Toprak1, Basar Ayribas2 1Department of Urology, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, FSM Health Practice & Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey 2LWL Klinikum Marsberg, Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Marsberg, Germany | Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), altered perception of bodily sensations, and somatization in the etiology of overactive bladder (OAB).
Methods: A total of 124 participants were included in the study. The case group consisted of 63 female patients diagnosed with OAB, and the control group comprised 61 age-matched healthy females. Demographic data were collected from all participants. All participants completed the OAB Questionnaire-V8 (OABQ-V8), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-44 (OBQ-44), Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), and Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS).
Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of age, education, or marital status. The OAB group demonstrated significantly higher scores on the OABQ-V8, OBQ-44, BSQ, and SSAS. Furthermore, the OABQV8 score exhibited a significant positive correlation with the OBQ-44, BSQ, and SSAS scores.
Conclusions: This study offers a new perspective on the psychological aspects of OAB, suggesting that OAB symptoms may result from heightened bodily sensations and subsequent somatization associated with OCD.
Keywords: Overactive bladder; Obsessions; Compulsions; Somatization; Body sensations | | --- | |
• Grant/Fund Support: This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
• Research Ethics: The local ethics committee ofFatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital (FSMEAH-KAEK 2020/151).
• Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported. | | | INTRODUCTION Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome is defined by the International Continence Society as a sensation of urgency to urinate, often accompanied by frequent daytime and/or nocturnal urination, with or without urinary incontinence, in the absence of other identifiable diseases [1]. The presence of a urinary tract infection or any other obvious pathology excludes the diagnosis of OAB [1]. Large-sample studies indicate that OAB is common in both North America and European countries, with a reported prevalence of 12%–17% in various studies [2]. Although the pathophysiology of OAB remains a matter of debate, several factors appear to contribute to its manifestation. These include age-related changes, bladder outlet obstruction, bladder ischemia, neurological, myogenic, inflammatory, sexrelated, and psychological factors [3]. Among these, research on Corresponding author: Tuncay Toprak [https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1348-5273](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1348-5273)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1348-5273)University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, FSM Health Practice & Research Center, Department of Urology, Hastane Sokak no:1/9 İçerenköy-Ataşehir 34752, Istanbul, Turkey [Email: drtuncay55@hotmail.com](Email: drtuncay55@hotmail.com) Submitted: October 16, 2024 / Accepted after revision: January 6, 2025 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Cre ative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License ([https://creative](https://creative)[commons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](commons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)) which permits

FAQs

What was the primary purpose of this study on overactive bladder syndrome?

The study investigated the potential role of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), altered perception of bodily sensations, and somatization in the etiology of overactive bladder (OAB).

How were participants selected and compared between groups?

The study included 63 female OAB patients and 61 age-matched healthy females. Demographic data were collected and all participants completed standardized questionnaires for OAB, obsessive beliefs, body sensations, and somatosensory amplification.

What key findings support a psychological contribution to OAB?

OAB patients showed significantly higher scores on OABQ-V8, OBQ-44, BSQ, and SSAS compared with controls, and OABQ-V8 scores positively correlated with OBQ-44, BSQ, and SSAS. The results suggest OAB symptoms may relate to heightened bodily sensations and subsequent somatization associated with OCD.

Sep 7, 2026

Upload by supergirl