Overactive bladder (OAB) can have a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment adherence, but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear.
A study published in Neurology and Urodynamics concluded that Among individuals with OAB, Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, and Depression scores were in line with general population reference values. Based on insights from the subgroup analysis, those taking antidepressants had a lower quality of life (health-related), substantially impacting adherence to their medication, indicating the need for proper assessment and management of depression in this population.

The present study characterized Sleep Disturbance, Depression, Fatigue, and patient-reported medication adherence among adults with overactive bladder in the US.
This study was a descriptive, observational one. Patients completed patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures on their urinary symptoms, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep quality, and medication adherence. The researchers then compared these scores across different subgroups based on age, sex, BMI, and medication (sleep and antidepressant) use. They performed exploratory analyses.
Key findings from the study are:
· Of 1013 patients contacted, 159 completed the assessments.
· 67.3% were females. The mean age was ≥65 years of age.
· The most severe OAB symptom was nocturia.
· There were consistent Scale scores for Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, and Depression with US population norms.
· There were no correlations of moderate or greater magnitude between the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms and Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, or Depression.
· In comparison to those receiving antidepressants compared to those who were not, outcomes including urinary symptoms, anxiety, and depression were worse.
· Patients taking antidepressants also had poorer adherence to OAB medications.
This noninterventional study assessed sleep disturbance, depression, and other aspects of HRQoL among OAB patients, they said.
Study design, lack of causal relationship, self-reported data, bias and limited generalizability are the study's main limitations.
Study sample including cases of clinically diagnosed with OAB is the major strength of this study.
Reference:
Jensen, S. E et al.An observational, patient‐reported outcome study of sleep quality and depression among individuals with overactive bladder syndrome. Neurourology and Urodynamics. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.25348