What type of study is this?

This is a Human Clinical Trial study.

December 5, 2025

Assessment of Overactive Bladder in Women With Fibromyalgia Presenting With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Controlled Clinical Study

DKDuygu Kurtulus KAKevser ArkanSağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi FSFerhat Yakup Suçeken

Key Points

Overactive bladder is prevalent in 62% of women with fibromyalgia, showing significant ties to symptom severity.
Patients with fibromyalgia and overactive bladder report higher scores on the Widespread Pain Index and other measures compared to controls.
Cross-sectional controlled study involved 232 women, split between those with fibromyalgia and controls matched for age and symptoms.
Findings highlight the association of overactive bladder with greater psychiatric comorbidities and central sensitization, suggesting clinical relevance.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder frequently accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), yet the prevalence and clinical relevance of overactive bladder (OAB) in this population remain poorly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of OAB among women with FM and to compare their clinical features with non‐FM controls presenting with similar urinary complaints. Methods This cross‐sectional controlled study included 232 women aged 18–65 years: 192 diagnosed with FM and 40 age‐ and symptom‐matched controls. OAB was diagnosed based on International Continence Society (ICS) criteria using the Overactive Bladder Awareness Tool Version 8 (OAB‐V8; cut‐off ≥ 8) and a 3‐day bladder diary. FM symptom burden was assessed using the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), and General Symptom Score (GSS). Psychiatric comorbidities and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were also recorded. Results OAB was identified in 62.0% of FM patients and 28.6% of controls ( p < 0.001). FM + OAB patients were significantly older and had longer disease duration than FM–OAB patients ( p < 0.001). WPI, SSS, and GSS scores were significantly higher in FM + OAB compared to both FM–OAB and control+OAB groups ( p < 0.001). Psychiatric comorbidities, IBS, and obesity were also more frequent in FM + OAB. Moderate correlations were observed between OAB and FM symptom severity ( ρ = 0.33–0.42, p < 0.01). Conclusions OAB is highly prevalent and clinically relevant among women with FM. Its presence is associated with greater symptom severity and comorbid burden, supporting the hypothesis that OAB in FM may represent a manifestation of central sensitization.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper