Effects of Overactive Bladder on Treatment-Related Behaviour and Quality of Life in an Eastern European Country - Findings from the LUTS POLAND Study

Sep 7, 2026

Study objectives examine how overactive bladder (OAB) influences treatment-related behaviour and quality of life in a Polish population with OAB symptoms, including how lower urinary tract symptom severity and bother shape treatment seeking, receiving, satisfaction, and continuation. Participants aged 40+ were assessed using OAB-V8 and symptom-specific Likert ratings; regression models evaluated associations. Results show a substantial subgroup with possible OAB, common drug-based management, sex differences in continuation, symptom categories linked to worse treatment outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns. Findings support targeted patient education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Background on OAB prevalence and burden

Rationale for Poland-focused treatment-behaviour assessment

Material and methods

Clinical research Effects of overactive bladder on treatment-related behaviour and quality of life in an Eastern European country: findings from the LUTS POLAND Study Mikolaj Przydacz, Marcin Chlosta, Przemyslaw Dudek, Piotr Chlosta Department of Urology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland Submitted: 7 February 2021 Accepted: 18 March 2021 Arch Med Sci DOI: [https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/133119](https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/133119)[ ](https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/133119)[Copyright](Copyright) © 2021 Termedia & Banach Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate treatment-related behaviour and quality of life of a Polish population that reported symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. The analysis also evaluated the impact of individual lower urinary tract symptoms and their specific bother on treatment seeking, treatment receiving, treatment satisfaction, and treatment continuation, in the same population. Material and methods: The participants were aged ≥ 40 years with possible diagnosis of OAB based on a score of ≥ 8 on the OAB-V8 questionnaire. Respondents used Likert-like scales to rate the frequency and symptom-specific bother of individual lower urinary tract symptoms. Regression models were constructed to analyse all associations. Results: Of 6005 participants, 33. 9%(n = 2041) had a possible diagnosis of OAB. Almost 40%(n = 810) were seeking treatment, and most participants received treatment (37 . 7%, n = 770) . There was no difference between individuals in urban and rural areas. Prescribed drugs were the most common treatment for OAB symptoms. We did not observe differences in treatment satisfaction or dissatisfaction between men and women, but statistically more men than women continued their treatment. Symptoms of all categories, not only storage, but also voiding, and post-micturition, were associated with a negative effect on an individual’s treatment-related outcome. Finally, OAB had a negative effect on quality of life because 43%(n = 878) of persons with possible OAB had concerns about their quality of life related to their urinary condition. Conclusions: This study is the first Eastern European population-representative analysis of treatment-related behaviours for OAB. Our study highlights the importance of patient education about the condition and treatment options. Key words: Poland, overactive bladder, epidemiology, treatment seeking. Introduction Overactive bladder (OAB) is a bladder-centric syndrome that consists of urinary frequency, urgency, urge urinary incontinence, and nocturia [1] . OAB is highly bothersome, and it negatively affects the quality of life by impairing social functioning, mental health, work productivity, sleep, and sexuality [2] . These effects lead to financial issues with higher healthcare resource use and costs [3] . Corresponding author: Mikolaj Przydacz MD, PhD, PGDip Department of Urology Jagiellonian University Medical College 2 Jakubowskiego St 30-688 Krakow Poland Phone: +48 12 424 79 50 E-mail: mikolaj.przydacz@ [yahoo.com](yahoo.com) Several large epidemiological studies have evaluated the prevalence of OAB in population-based analyses [4, 5] . In these studies, OAB was highly prevalent and might have affected over 50% of adult men and women, with some variability depending on study population, age, survey methodology, data collection, and culture or ethnicity. Because the prevalence of OAB increases with age, the number of people affected by OAB may further increase as life expectancy continues to increase [5, 6] . Despite high OAB prevalence and its effect on quality of life, treatment-seeking for OAB appears to be meagre. These data are available only from high-income countries of Western Europe and North America. To date, treatment-related behaviours for OAB have not been investigated in any Central or Eastern European country. Furthermore, the effects of OAB on quality of life h

FAQs

What was the main aim of the LUTS POLAND analysis?

To assess how overactive bladder symptoms affect treatment-related behaviour (seeking, receiving, satisfaction, continuation) and quality of life in a Polish population, including the role of individual lower urinary tract symptom bother.

How were participants with possible overactive bladder identified?

Participants aged 40+ were eligible based on an OAB-V8 score of 8 or higher, and they rated the frequency and bother of individual lower urinary tract symptoms using Likert-like scales.

Which treatments were most commonly used and what outcomes were linked to symptom categories?

Prescribed drugs were the most common treatment for OAB symptoms. Symptoms across storage, voiding, and post-micturition categories were associated with negative effects on individual treatment-related outcomes, and OAB concerns negatively affected quality of life.

Sep 7, 2026

Upload by WPS_1786070896