ABSTRACT
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common symptom complex of the lower urinary tract characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, and nocturia.1 While it is generally accepted that OAB symptomatology is widely underreported for a variety of reasons, it is estimated that OAB affects up to 33 million adults in the United States, with a third experiencing urinary urge incontinence.2,3 Symptoms of OAB are known to have a negative impact on health-related quality of life, leading to limitations in daily activities, withdrawal from social situations, embarrassment, anxiety, and depression.4-6 There are documented health risks associated with OAB, as it has been shown that postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence have a significantly higher risk of falling and sustaining a fracture.7 Furthermore, there is a huge financial burden associated with OAB, with total costs related to urinary incontinence exceeding $25 billion per year.8
