Don’t let your male patients with OAB suffer in silence1-3

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OAB symptoms may go unnoticed in men, especially if they have BPH.4

%

of OAB cases in men may go undiagnosed5

%

of men with BPH also have OAB symptoms6

BPH=benign prostatic hyperplasia; OAB=overactive bladder.

What’s the difference between OAB and BPH?

OAB is caused by bladder muscle overactivity, while BPH is an enlargement of the prostate that presents with urinary symptoms due to obstruction.4,6-8

Symptoms seen
in OAB3,4,8

  • Urgency

    Frequent sudden need to urinate

  • Frequency

    Going to the bathroom more than 8 times in 24 hours

  • Incontinence

    Loss or leaking of urine following urgency

  • Nocturia

    Waking up to urinate 2 or more times in the night

Symptoms seen
in BPH3,4

  • Intermittent stream

    Stopping and starting when urinating

  • Retention

    Unable to completely empty their bladder

For patients with OAB symptoms, disruption happens day and night2,6

Even after BPH treatment, patients with OAB symptoms may experience:

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Disrupted sleep due to nocturia8

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Self-imposed isolation9

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Reduced intimacy and self-esteem1,9

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Decreased job performance and early retirement10,11

OAB symptoms go beyond time in the bathroom, and untreated bladder symptoms can have long-term consequences13

Patients with OAB may have a higher risk for:

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Falls and fractures13

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Urinary tract and skin infections13

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Depression due to incontinence9,13

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Decreased bladder contractility, fibrosis, and eventual need for invasive treatment options, including catheterization8-10,13

References:

  1. Rosen R, Altwein J, Boyle P, et al. Lower urinary tract symptoms and male sexual dysfunction: the multinational survey of the aging male (MSAM-7). Eur Urol. 2003;44(6):637-649. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2003.08.015
  2. Foster P, Luebke M, Razzak AN, et al. Stigmatization as a barrier to urologic care: a review. Health Psychol Res. 2023;11:84273. doi:10.52965/001c.84273
  3. Egan KB. The epidemiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia associated with lower urinary tract symptoms: prevalence and incident rates. Urol Clin North Am. 2016;43(3):289-297. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2016.04.001
  4. Burnett AL, Walker DR, Feng Q, et al. Undertreatment of overactive bladder among men with lower urinary tract symptoms in the United States: a retrospective observational study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(5):1378-1386. doi:10.1002/nau.24348
  5. Anger JT, Goldman HB, Luo X, et al. Patterns of medical management of overactive bladder (OAB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the United States. Neurourol Urodyn. 2018;37(1):213-222. doi:10.1002/nau.23276
  6. Gomelsky A, Dmochowski RR. Overactive bladder in males. Ther Adv Urol. 2009;1(4):209-221. doi:10.1177/1756287209350383
  7. O'Quin C, White KL, Campbell JR, et al. Pharmacological approaches in managing symptomatic relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a comprehensive review. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e51314. doi:10.7759/cureus.51314
  8. D’Ancona C, Haylen B, Oelke M, et al, and the Standardisation Steering Committee ICS and the ICS Working Group on Terminology for Male Lower Urinary Tract and Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Dysfunction. The International Continence Society (ICS) report on the terminology for adult male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019;38(2):433-477. doi:10.1002/nau.23897
  9. Kinsey D, Pretorius S, Glover L, Alexander T. The psychological impact of overactive bladder: a systematic review. J Health Psychol. 2016;21(1):69-81. doi:10.1177/1359105314522084
  10. Millman AL, Cheung DC, Hackett C, Elterman D. Overactive bladder in men: a practical approach. Br J Gen Pract. 2018;68(671):298-299. doi:10.3399/bjgp18X696593
  11. Reynolds WS, Fowke J, Dmochowski R. The burden of overactive bladder on US public health. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep. 2016;11(1):8-13. doi:10.1007/s11884-016-0344-9
  12. Chapple C. Systematic review of therapy for men with overactive bladder. Can Urol Assoc J. 2011;5(5)(suppl 2):S143-S145. doi:10.5489/cuaj.11186
  13. Nitti VW. Clinical impact of overactive bladder. Rev Urol. 2002;4(suppl 4):S2-S6.