Fast Five Quiz: Overactive Bladder

Various risk factors are associated with OAB. White people, persons with insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes, and individuals with depression are more likely to develop OAB. Other risk factors include:

• Age > 75 years

• Arthritis

• Use of oral hormone replacement therapy

• High body mass index

• Current smoking

• Hyperlipidemia

• Cardiovascular disease

• Renal disease

Physiologic changes associated with aging, such as decreased bladder capacity and changes in muscle tone, favor the development of OAB when precipitating factors intervene. In postmenopausal women, many of these changes are related to estrogen deficiency. Estrogen deprivation therapy in younger women with breast cancer has also been associated with increased risk for OAB. Perhaps the most important age-related change in bladder function that leads to incontinence is the increased number of involuntary bladder contractions (detrusor instability).

Any disruption in the integration of musculoskeletal and neurologic responses can lead to loss of control of normal bladder function and urge incontinence.

Read more on the development of OAB.

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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Bradley Schwartz. Fast Five Quiz: Overactive Bladder - Medscape - Sep 25, 2020.