Bladder symptoms and its impact on quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To estimate the bladder symptoms, and explore its impact on patients′ quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was used to evaluate patients′ bladder symptoms, and Medical Outcome Study 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Scale (SF-12), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABq-SF) were conducted to test the effect of bladder symptoms on general and disease-specific quality of life. Results Among the four bladder symptoms, nocturia was the most prevalent symptom (46.7%,479/1 025), followed by urinary frequency (14.9%,153/1 025), urinary urgency (14.2%,146/1 025), urge urinary incontinence (7.9%, 81/1 025). Nocturia and urge urinary incontinence significantly increased symptom bother (nocturia B=0.337, P<0.01; urge urinary incontinence B=0.437, P<0.01) and decreased disease-specific quality of life (nocturia B=-0.364, P < 0.01; urge urinary incontinence B=-0.346, P < 0.01) in these patients. Meanwhile, urge urinary incontinence was negatively associated with general mental health (B=-0.255, P=0.011). Conclusions The prevalence of bladder symptoms in type 2 diabetes patients was high, and was found to be associated with patients′ general and disease-specific quality of life. Health care providers should be aware of the high prevalence of bladder symptoms and its impact on QOL to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of bladder symptoms during diabetic care. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Bladder; Quality of life