Basal and stress-activated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis function in postmenopausal women with overactive bladder

Association between family income to poverty ratio and nocturia in adults aged 20 years and older: A study from NHANES 2005-2010

BACKGROUND

Nocturia, the most common lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), significantly impacts socioeconomic factors and individuals' quality of life and is closely related to many diseases. This study utilized data from NHANES 2005-2010 to explore the relationship between family income to poverty ratio (PIR) and the presence of nocturia symptoms in adults aged 20 or older in the United States.

METHODS

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2005-2010, including 6,662 adults aged 20 or older, were utilized for this cross-sectional study. The baseline data was used to display the distribution of each characteristic visually. Multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting were used to study the linear and non-linear correlations between PIR and nocturia. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were conducted to examine the stability of intergroup relationships.

RESULTS

Out of the 6,662 adult participants aged 20 or older, 1,300 households were categorized as living in poverty, 3,671 households had a moderate income, and 1,691 households were classified as affluent. Among these participants, 3,139 individuals experienced nocturia, representing 47.12% of the total, while 3,523 individuals were nocturia-free, constituting 52.88% of the total population. After adjusting for all other covariates, it was found that PIR was significantly negatively correlated with nocturia (OR: 0.875, 95%CI: 0.836-0.916 P<0.0001). This trend persisted when PIR was divided into three groups (PIR <1, PIR 1-4, PIR > 4) or quartiles. There was a non-linear negative correlation between PIR and nocturia.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that lower PlR was associated with a higher risk of nocturia in adults aged 20 or older in the United States. These findings highlight the importance of considering socioeconomic factors in preventing and managing nocturia. Nonetheless, further exploration of the causal nexus between these factors was precluded due to the constraints of a cross-sectional design.

Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and urge urinary incontinence: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013 to 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association between urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and weight-adjusted waist circumference index (WWI), a newly developed measure of obesity. Data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in the present cross-sectional study. Urge urinary incontinence was identified by self-reported urine leakage before reaching the toilet. Weighted multivariate logistic regression and generalized additive models were used to investigate the connection between WWI and UUI and its nonlinearity. The nonlinear relationship was explored using smoothed curve fitting. Additionally, further analyses were performed on subgroups and interaction tests were conducted. In the study, a total of 14,118 individuals were enrolled, with a UUI prevalence rate of 21.18%. Overall UUI was more prevalent with elevated WWI (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.13-12.8, P < 0.0001), which similar results were observed in weekly (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18-1.48, P < 0.0001) and daily (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06-1.53, P = 0.0091) UUI. And this connection remained steady among all subgroups (P > 0.05 for all interactions). Smoothed curve fitting showed no nonlinear relationship between WWI and UUI. In addition, a stronger correlation was found between WWI and UUI risk than other obesity indicators such as waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Among US adults, weight-adjusted waist circumference index values are positively associated with elevated odds of UUI and show stronger associations than WC and BMI. Further studies are required to elucidate the causal relationship between WWI and UUI.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms One Year Postpartum

Pregnancy carries substantial risk for developing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), with potential lifelong impacts on bladder health. Little is known about modifiable psychosocial factors that may influence the risk of postpartum LUTSs. We examined associations between depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and postpartum LUTSs, and the moderating effects of perceived social support, using data from a cohort study of Expect With Me group prenatal care (n = 462). One year postpartum, 40.3% participants reported one or more LUTS. The most frequent LUTS was daytime frequency (22.3%), followed by urinary incontinence (19.5%), urgency (18.0%), nocturia (15.6%), and bladder pain (6.9%). Higher odds of any LUTS were associated with greater depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.11) and perceived stress (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.19). Higher perceived social support was associated with lower odds of any LUTS (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-0.99). Perceived social support mitigated the adverse effects of depressive symptoms (interaction AOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and perceived stress (interaction AOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99) on experiencing any LUTS. Greater depressive symptoms and perceived stress may increase the likelihood of experiencing LUTSs after childbirth. Efforts to promote bladder health among postpartum patients should consider psychological factors and social support.

The biopsychosocial impacts of anxiety on overactive bladder in women

AIMS

Links between emotional state and the bladder have long been recognized, as psychological comorbidity is a common feature of overactive bladder (OAB). However, how psychological factors might contribute to the development and severity of OAB remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to examine the effect of anxiety on OAB with a specific focus on bladder hypersensitivity.

METHODS

In a sample of 120 adult women with OAB, we compared those with at least mild anxiety (PROMIS Anxiety score ≥55) to those with lower anxiety. Analyses focused on patient-reported questionnaires assessing urinary symptom severity and quality of life, psychological stress symptoms, general somatic symptoms, and results of quantitative sensory testing (QST), including temporal summation to heat pain (TSP). TSP was used to index elevated C-fiber responsiveness (i.e., central sensitization).

RESULTS

Thirty-six (30%) women had at least mild anxiety. While there were no group differences for urinary symptom severity, more anxious women reported worse OAB-specific quality of life, greater psychological stress burden, higher stress reactivity, and greater somatic symptoms. On QST, there were no differences between anxiety groups for pain threshold (43.6 ± 3.1°C vs. 44.0 ± 3.1°C, p = 0.6) and tolerance (47.3 ± 1.5°C vs. 47.4 ± 1.6°C, p = 0.7). However, those with anxiety had significantly higher TSP than those without anxiety (6.0 ± 4.8 vs. 3.7 ± 3.9, p = 0.006), indicating greater central sensitization.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with OAB and at least mild anxiety symptoms reported greater psychosocial burdens (i.e., psychological stress, stress reactivity, OAB-specific QOL) and somatic symptom severity and demonstrated greater central sensitization on QST than those without anxiety. These findings support the hypothesis that anxiety and psychological stress impact hypersensitivity mechanisms that may underlie and contribute to OAB, although further research is needed to better understand how and to what extent.

Stimulation of brain corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type1 facilitates the rat micturition via brain glutamatergic receptors

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a representative stress-related neuropeptide, in the central nervous system reportedly both facilitates and suppresses the micturition, therefore, roles of central CRF in regulation of the micturition are still controversial. In this study, we investigated (1) effects of intracerebroventricularly (icv)-administered CRF on the micturition, and (2) brain CRF receptor subtypes (CRFR1/CRFR2) and glutamatergic receptors (NMDA/AMPA subtypes) involved in the CRF-induced effects in male Wistar rats under urethane anesthesia. Intercontraction intervals (ICI), and maximal voiding pressure (MVP), were evaluated by continuous cystometry 45 min before CRF administration or intracerebroventricular pretreatment with other drugs as follows and 3 h after CRF administration. Single-voided volume (Vv), post-voiding residual volume (Rv), bladder capacity (BC), and voiding efficiency (VE) were evaluated by single cystometry 60 min before CRF administration and 60-120 min after the administration. Icv-administered CRF reduced ICI, Vv, and BC without changing MVP, Rv, or VE. The CRF-induced ICI reduction was attenuated by icv-pretreated CP154526 (CRFR1 antagonist), MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist), and DNQX (AMPA receptor antagonist), but not by K41498 (CRFR2 antagonist). These results indicate that stimulation of brain CRFR1 can be involved in facilitation of the rat micturition via brain NMDA/AMPA receptors.

Psychological/mental stress-induced effects on urinary function: Possible brain molecules related to psychological/mental stress-induced effects on urinary function

Exposure to psychological/mental stress can affect urinary function, and lead to and exacerbate lower urinary tract dysfunctions. There is increasing evidence showing stress-induced changes not only at phenomenological levels in micturition, but also at multiple levels, lower urinary tract tissues, and peripheral and central nervous systems. The brain plays crucial roles in the regulation of the body's responses to stress; however, it is still unclear how the brain integrates stress-related information to induce changes at these multiple levels, thereby affecting urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions. In this review, we introduce recent urological studies investigating the effects of stress exposure on urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions, and our recent studies exploring "pro-micturition" and "anti-micturition" brain molecules related to stress responses. Based on evidence from these studies, we discuss the future directions of central neurourological research investigating how stress exposure-induced changes at peripheral and central levels affect urinary function and lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Brain molecules that we explored might be entry points into dissecting the stress-mediated process for modulating micturition.

Chronic psychological stress and lower urinary tract symptoms

It is well established that lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), particularly urinary urgency and incontinence, cause stress and anxiety for patients. However, there is mounting evidence that the relationship between these two factors is bidirectional and that chronic psychological stress itself can result in the development of symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, incontinence, and pelvic pain. This review considers the evidence that such a relationship exists and reviews the literature from clinical and animal studies to identify some of the mechanisms that might be involved. Inflammatory responses induced by chronic stress appear to offer the strongest link to bladder dysfunction. There is overwhelming evidence, both in patients and animal models, for a release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during periods of chronic stress. Furthermore, cytokines have been shown to cause bladder dysfunction and pain via actions in the central nervous system and locally in the bladder. In the brain and spinal cord, pro-inflammatory cytokines influence the regulation of micturition pathways by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and its receptors, while peripherally cytokines affect bladder function, directly causing detrusor hypertrophy and afferent nerve hypersensitivity. There is little information on which treatments may have most benefit for stressed/anxious patients with LUTS, but animal studies suggest traditional drugs for overactive bladder (solifenacin, mirabegron) are more effective on LUTS than anxiolytic drugs (fluoxetine, imipramine). The preliminary preclinical data for CRF receptor antagonists is not consistent. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved in stress-induced LUTS should provide a basis for improved treatment of this condition.

Clinical Guidelines for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (second edition)

The present article is an abridged English translation of the Japanese Clinical Guidelines for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (second edition), published in September 2019. These guidelines consist of a total of 212 pages and are unique worldwide in that they cover female lower urinary tract symptoms other than urinary incontinence. They contain two algorithms for "primary treatment" and "specialized treatment," respectively. These guidelines, consisting of six chapters, address a total of 26 clinical questions including: (i) treatment algorithms; (ii) what are female lower urinary tract symptoms?; (iii) epidemiology and quality of life; (iv) pathology and illness; (v) diagnosis; and (vi) treatment. When the patient's symptoms mainly involve voiding and post-micturition symptoms, specialized treatment should be considered. In the event of voiding symptoms concurrent with storage symptoms, residual urine should be measured; if the residual urine volume is <100 mL, then diagnosis and treatment for storage symptoms is prioritized, and if the volume is ≥100 mL, then specialized treatment should be considered. When storage symptoms are the primary condition, then the patient is subject to the primary treatment algorithm. Specialized treatment for refractory overactive bladder includes botulinum toxin injection and sacral nerve stimulation. For stress urinary incontinence, surgical treatment is indicated, such as urethral slings. The two causes of voiding symptoms and post-micturition symptoms are lower urinary tract obstruction and detrusor underactivity (underactive bladder). Mechanical lower urinary tract obstruction, such as pelvic organ prolapse, is expected to improve with surgery.

The relationship between overactive bladder and attachment: A preliminary study

AIM

There are strong relationships between overactive bladder (OAB) and psychological factors. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between OAB and attachment.

METHODS

Patients who presented with OAB symptoms and were first diagnosed with OAB were included in the study. Patient and control groups were matched in terms of age and gender. A urological and psychiatric examination was performed on each participant. The severity of patients' OAB symptoms was assessed using the Overactive Bladder-V8 Questionnaire (OAB-v8). The characteristics of attachment patterns were evaluated using The Close Relationships Scale Revised.

RESULTS

The OAB and control groups included 41 and 43 participants, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to alcohol abuse, daily cigarette consumption, marital status, and gender. The prevalence of anxious attachment was significantly higher in the OAB group than in the control group (p < 0.001), whereas no significant difference was found with regard to avoidant attachment (p = 0.18). A significant relationship was found between the OAB-v8 score and anxious attachment in OAB patients (r = 0.50; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that insecure attachment, especially anxious attachment is associated with OAB and the severity of OAB symptoms. More extensive and longitudinal studies can better show the relationship between attachment and OAB. Future research may focus on the possibility of causality between attachment and OAB.

Development of Conceptual Models to Guide Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy: Synthesizing Traditional and Contemporary Paradigms

This applied paper is intended to serve as a "how to" guide for public health researchers, practitioners, and policy makers who are interested in building conceptual models to convey their ideas to diverse audiences. Conceptual models can provide a visual representation of specific research questions. They also can show key components of programs, practices, and policies designed to promote health. Conceptual models may provide improved guidance for prevention and intervention efforts if they are based on frameworks that integrate social ecological and biological influences on health and incorporate health equity and social justice principles. To enhance understanding and utilization of this guide, we provide examples of conceptual models developed by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium. PLUS is a transdisciplinary U.S. scientific network established by the National Institutes of Health in 2015 to promote bladder health and prevent lower urinary tract symptoms, an emerging public health and prevention priority. The PLUS Research Consortium is developing conceptual models to guide its prevention research agenda. Research findings may in turn influence future public health practices and policies. This guide can assist others in framing diverse public health and prevention science issues in innovative, potentially transformative ways.

A systematic review of the Trier Social Stress Test methodology: Issues in promoting study comparison and replicable research

Since its development in 1993, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) has been used widely as a psychosocial stress paradigm to activate the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) stress systems, stimulating physiological functions (e.g. heart rate) and cortisol secretion. Several methodological variations introduced over the years have led the scientific community to question replication between studies. In this systematic review, we used the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to synthesize procedure-related data available about the TSST protocol to highlight commonalities and differences across studies. We noted significant discrepancies across studies in how researchers applied the TSST protocol. In particular, we highlight variations in testing procedures (e.g., number of judges, initial number in the arithmetic task, time of the collected saliva samples for cortisol) and discuss possible misinterpretation in comparing findings from studies failing to control for variables or using a modified version from the original protocol. Further, we recommend that researchers use a standardized background questionnaire when using the TSST to identify factors that may influence physiological measurements in tandem with a summary of this review as a protocol guide. More systematic implementation and detailed reporting of TSST methodology will promote study replication, optimize comparison of findings, and foster an informed understanding of factors affecting responses to social stressors in healthy people and those with pathological conditions.

Enduring impact of childhood adversity on lower urinary tract symptoms in adult women

AIMS

To determine whether childhood adversity is associated with self-reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among older adult women.

METHODS

A convenience sample of women (≥55 years old) who presented to an academic urology practice or who had participated in a previous bladder health prevention study completed questionnaires including the LUTS Tool (on frequency and bother of LUTS), the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

RESULTS

The average age (SD) of participants (N = 151) was 64.7 (6.9) years. The total number of ACEs predicted the total number of LUTS, β = .39 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.14, 0.64), P = .003, as well as LUTS frequency, β = .09 (95% CI = 0.04, 0.13), P < .001. ACEs predicted bother for nocturia, β = 0.12 (95% CI = 0.03, 0.22), P = .008. Negative affect symptoms did not mediate the relationship between the total number of ACEs and the total number of LUTS. Rather, ACEs predicted LUTS and negative affect symptoms through (at least partially) independent pathways. Analyses controlled for tobacco use, number of vaginal deliveries, hypertension, overactive bladder medication use, body mass index, income, and race because these variables were significantly associated with the total number of ACEs or total number of LUTS.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood adversity has an enduring impact on risk for LUTS in adulthood even when controlling for potential confounds and this relationship cannot be explained by negative affect symptoms.

Intraindividual variability in sleep and comorbid medical and mental health conditions

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Intraindividual variability (IIV) in sleep may be a risk factor for disease above the influence of mean sleep. Associations between IIV in sleep and risk for a comprehensive set of common medical and mental health conditions have not been assessed in a representative sample.

METHODS

This study examined mean and IIV in total sleep time (TST), sleep quality (SQ), sleep efficiency (SE), and circadian midpoint (CM) in 771 adults recruited for an epidemiological study. Participants completed 14 days of sleep diaries to assess TST, SQ, SE, and CM, after which they reported on medical conditions and mental health symptoms. Data were analyzed using logistic regression, and models controlled for gender, body mass index, age, and race.

RESULTS

Lower mean TST, SQ, and SE were related to increased odds of having gastrointestinal problems, depression, and anxiety. IIV in TST was related to increased odds of having neurological, breathing, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as pain and depression; all results held controlling for mean sleep and adjusting for false discovery rate. IIV in SQ and SE was not associated with odds of having any medical or mental health conditions after adjusting for false discovery rate, nor was IIV in CM or mean CM.

CONCLUSIONS

Confirming previous research, mean TST, SQ, and SE are related to risk for gastrointestinal problems, depression, and anxiety. IIV in TST may be a unique facet of disturbed sleep that is associated with increased risk for a diverse cluster of medical and mental health conditions.

Is overactive bladder independently associated with anxiety?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Although some psychiatric anxiety questionnaires include overactive bladder (OAB) questions, there are few controlled data to confirm such an association. We tested the association between OAB and anxiety using a control group of women with non-OAB lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODS

Patients referred to a urogynecology clinic for LUTS completed two questionnaires: the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire for Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7). Based on ICIQ-OAB scores, patients were dichotomized as having OAB versus LUTS-other, and GAD-7 scores categorized patients as having anxiety. A 2-tailed Fisher's exact test was used to test the association between OAB and anxiety. Demographic variables were collected and significant confounders were included in a logistic regression analysis. Sample size calculation indicated a need for 100 subjects, but we recruited 105 subjects to account for incomplete questionnaires.

RESULTS

One hundred and five subjects were enrolled (one excluded owing to incomplete questionnaires). Sixty-five patients had OAB and 39 had LUTS-other. Of the OAB patients, 17 out of 65 (26.2%) had anxiety, compared with 3 out of 39 (7.7%) of the LUTS-other group (p = 0.038 by Fisher's exact test, with a slight drop to p = 0.056 in the regression analysis).

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be an association between OAB and anxiety and it may be of clinical importance to assess for anxiety in patients that present with OAB symptoms. The drop in statistical significance from p = 0.038 to a borderline significance of p = 0.056 in the regression analysis may be a reflection of the sample size.

Are psychological comorbidities important in the aetiology of lower urinary tract dysfunction-ICI-RS 2018?

AIMS

To review studies on the comorbid psychological symptoms and disorders in patients with lower urinary tract disorders (LUTD) over the life-span, to analyse how they contribute toward the aetiology of LUTD and to discuss optimal service implementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of relevant literature was conducted and presented during the ICI-RS meeting in 2018. Open questions and future directions were discussed.

RESULTS

On the basis of current research, there is overwhelming evidence in all age groups that psychological comorbidities are more common in patients with LUTD. Vice versa, patients with psychiatric disorders have higher rates of LUTD. The types of LUTDs and psychiatric disorders are heterogeneous. Complex aetiological models best explain specific associations of comorbidity. Irrespective of aetiology, it is advisable to address both urological and psychological issues in patients of all age groups with LUTD.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological symptoms and disorders play a decisive role in the development of LUTD in all age groups and need to be considered in the assessment and treatment of LUTD.

Is there "brain OAB" and how can we recognize it? International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) 2017

AIMS

In light of mounting evidence supporting the association of brain regions with the control of urine storage and voiding, the high placebo effect in OAB studies as well as certain anecdotal observations from clinical practice with OAB patients, the role of the brain in OAB was explored.

METHODS

At the ICI-RS 2017 meeting, a panel of Functional Urologists and Basic Scientists presented literature data generating a proposal to discuss whether there is "brain OAB" and how we could recognize it.

RESULTS

Existing data point toward organic brain causes of OAB, in particular concerning white matter disease (WMD) and aging, but with currently speculative mechanisms. Imaging techniques have revealed connectivity changes between brain regions which may explain brain-peripheral interactions in OAB patients, further to acknowledged structural and functional changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, psychological disorders like stress and depression have been identified as causes of OAB, with animal and human studies proposing a neurochemical and neuroendocrine pathophysiological basis, involving either the serotoninergic system or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Finally, childhood data suggest that OAB could be a developmental disorder involving the CNS, although childhood OAB could be a different condition than that of adults in many children.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should aim to identify the pathogenesis of WMD and the aging processes affecting the brain and the bladder, with possible benefits in prevention strategies, as well as connectivity disorders within the CNS, the pathophysiology of OAB in childhood and the neurochemical pathways connecting affective disorders with OAB.

Analysis of the prevalence of and factors associated with overactive bladder in adult Korean women

Background

Overactive bladder (OAB) is one of the most prevalent lower urinary tract conditions and has been suggested to be related to various factors. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with OAB in women based on a large cross-sectional, population-based study of adult Korean women.

Methods

The Korean community health survey (KCHS) of 2012 was reviewed, and 107,950 female participants aged 19 to 107 years were identified for inclusion in this study. The overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was used to define and classify OAB as mild, moderate, or severe. Numerous variables, including marital status; physical activity; education and income levels; type of occupation; body mass index (BMI); smoking; alcohol; sleep time; and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or cerebral stroke, were evaluated. The correlation of these variables with the prevalence of OAB was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling.

Results

The results showed that 5.2% of adult women experienced OAB. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the following variables and OAB: older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39–1.50, P < 0.001 as 10 years older); married status (AOR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.70–0.96, P = 0.016); lower level of income (AOR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.34–1.68, P < 0.001); high BMI (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.23–1.44, P < 0.001); smoking (AOR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.04–1.47, P < 0.001); long sleep time (AOR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.69–2.26); and medical history of hypertension (AOR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03–1.21, P = 0.011), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.25–1.53, P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (AOR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.16–1.39, P < 0.001), and cerebral stroke (AOR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.73–2.41, P < 0.001). The level of stress showed a dose-dependent association with OAB (AOR [95%CI] = 3.28 [2.81–3.83] > 2.11 [1.91–2.33] >1.28 [1.16–1.41] for severe > moderate > some stress, respectively, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of OAB was approximately 5.2% among adult Korean women. Older age; high BMI; stress level; sleep duration; levels of income and education; marital status; smoking; and medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cerebral stroke were significantly related to OAB in women.

Fourteen-day administration of corticosterone may induce detrusor overactivity symptoms

Introduction and hypothesis

Epidemiological studies demonstrated that patients suffering from overactive bladder often present with different mental problems, amongst which depression is the most frequently observed. The main goal of our study was to check if the repeated administration of corticosterone (CORT) is able to evoke the depressive-like behaviour and detrusor overactivity (DO) symptoms in rats. Moreover, we investigated whether the acute administration of common antidepressants (imipramine, 30 mg/kg, and fluoxetine, 15 mg/kg), antimuscarinic (oxybutynin chloride, 0.5 mg/kg) or CRF₁ (SN 003, 1 mg/kg) antagonists has an impact on the cystometric parameters, behaviour in the Porsolt test, and overall locomotor activity of animals exposed to CORT.

Methods

The experiments were carried out on female Wistar rats. All applied surgical and histopathology procedures, cystometric investigations, locomotor activity and forced swim measurements have been fully described in the published literature.

Results

Fourteen-day administration of CORT may induce both depressive and DO symptoms in rats, which are reversed by the inhibition of CRF₁ receptors.

Conclusions

It seems that the CRF₁ receptor could be an interesting target for overactive bladder pharmacotherapy, particularly in patients with co-existing depression.