Prevalence of overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and lower urinary tract symptoms: Results of Korean EPIC study

Young Suk Lee, Kyu Sung Lee, Jae Hun Jung, Deok Hyun Han, Seung June Oh, Ju Tae Seo, Jeong Gu Lee, Hye Sook Park, Myung Soo Choo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

146 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Despite growing interest in overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence in general population of Korea. This survey was aimed at estimating the prevalence of OAB, UI, and other LUTS among Korean men and women. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between May and September 2006 using questionnaire regarding demographics and the prevalence. A geographically stratified random sample of men and women aged ≥ 18 years were selected. Current International Continence Society definitions were used for individual LUTS and OAB. Results: Of a total of 9,067 individuals contacted, 2,000 (888 men, 1,112 women) agreed to participate. Overall prevalence of LUTS was 61.4% (53.7% of men, 68.9% of women) and the prevalence increased with age. Storage LUTS was more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS in both men (storage; 44.6%, voiding; 28.5%, post-micturition; 15.9%) and women (storage; 64.4%, voiding; 25.9%, post-micturition; 13.9%). Nocturia was the most frequently reported symptom (36.6% of men, 48.2% of women). Overall prevalence of OAB was 12.2% (10.0% of men, 14.3% of women). UI was reported by 2.9% of men and 28.4% of women. The most prevalent type was other UI in men and stress urinary incontinence in women. Conclusions: Lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB are prevalent among Korean men and women and the prevalence increases with age. Storage LUTS is more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS and nocturia is the most common symptom.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-190
Number of pages6
JournalWorld Journal of Urology
Volume29
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This study was funded by PWzer Korea and Korean Continence Society.

Keywords

  • Epidemiologic study
  • Lower urinary tract symptoms
  • Overactive bladder
  • Urinary incontinence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prevalence of overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and lower urinary tract symptoms: Results of Korean EPIC study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this