Are patients with the symptoms of overactive bladder and urodynamic detrusor overactivity different from those with overactive bladder but not detrusor overactivity?

Background: The aim of this study is to identify the differences between patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO) and those with OAB but without DO.

Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with OAB symptoms between December 2008 and September 2009. All patients were required to complete a 3-day frequency-volume chart. Symptom severity was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaires. All patients also underwent urodynamic studies. Demographics, symptom severity, urinary frequency and volume, and urodynamic variables of patients with and without DO were compared.

Results: Of the 133 enrolled patients (76 women and 57 men), DO was diagnosed in 80 patients (60.2%). All demographic variables were similar among the OAB patients, regardless of DO status. Total IPSS and OABSS scores did not differ between the OAB and DO groups. However, the nighttime urinary frequency subscore on the OABSS differed significantly between OAB patients with DO and without DO (p = 0.048). There were no significant differences in terms of urodynamic variables, urinary frequency, or urine volume between OAB patients with and without DO.

Conclusion: Patients with OAB symptoms and urodynamic DO show different clinical symptoms than OAB patients without DO. Patients with DO experience more frequent nocturnal urinary episodes.