High classification of chronic heart failure increases risk of overactive bladder syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Objective: To assess the urologic symptoms among patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and to explore whether a higher classification of CHF increases the risk associated with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Methods: A total of 214 ambulatory patients with CHF (129 men and 85 women) and 378 age-matched subjects (222 men and 156 women) were enrolled in the present study. The urologic symptoms were evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) from January to June 2010.

Results: Compared with the controls, the patients with CHF had a significantly greater mean OABSS (4.6±3.6 vs 3.4±3.1, P<.001), total IPSS (8.3±6.9 vs 6.9±7.6, P=.021), and storage IPSS (4.8±3.5 vs 3.7±3.3, P<.001). Of the patients with CHF, 34.1% had moderate/severe OAB symptoms (OABSS≥6), and 43.5% had moderate/severe lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS≥8). Compared with patients who had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I CHF, the patients with NYHA class III CHF had a significantly greater OABSS and total, storage, and voiding IPSSs. Patients with NYHA class II CHF did not. A greater body mass index and stroke were significantly associated with the OABSS and storage IPSS, and pulmonary disease was significantly associated with the voiding IPSS.

Conclusion: The patients with CHF had more storage urinary symptoms suggestive of OAB than did the age-matched controls. Among the patients with CHF, greater NYHA class heart function was significantly associated with OAB and lower urinary tract symptoms.