Abstract
BackgroundOveractive bladder (OAB) is a popular distressing health condition that has negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the inflicted individuals. This multicenter study was conducted to determine the prevalence of OAB symptoms and their impact on the HRQoL of medical and dentistry students.MethodsThis study was conducted in a cross-sectional design in the 3 main universities in Palestine. In addition to the sociodemographic, health, and academic characteristics of the medical and dentistry students, the questionnaire also contained the OAB symptom bother (6-items) and HRQoL (13-items) Short-Form (OAB-q SF) scales. Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson Chi-Square/Fisher's Exact Test, Spearman’s rank correlations, and a multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the data.ResultsResponses were collected from medical and dentistry students (n = 402). The median OAB symptom bother score was 54.1 [44.8, 81.9] and the median HRQoL score was 94.4 [88.4, 94.4]. There was a strong negative correlation between the OAB and HRQoL scores (Spearman’s rho = 64.4%, p value < 0.001). OAB scores were significantly higher among dentistry students, females, who had chronic disease, and those who reported stressful life. HRQoL scores were significantly higher among medicine students, those who reported less stressful life, and those who reported satisfaction with their social life. Dentistry students, female, and those who self-reported high stress were 1.94-fold (95% CI 1.05, 3.56), 1.91-fold (95% CI 1.16, 3.14), and 1.88-fold (95% CI 1.21, 2.91) more likely to report less than optimal HRQoL compared to medicine students, male, and those who self-reported low stress, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that OAB symptoms were prevalent among medical and dentistry students across Palestinian universities. Decision makers in academia, healthcare authorities, and advocacy groups might need to design appropriate interventions to address health and wellbeing issues of medical and dentistry students. Using appropriate diagnostic procedures, reducing stress, and improving the social life might help in reducing the burden on OAB and improve the HRQoL of medical and dentistry students. More investigations should be conducted to investigate if such interventions are effective in reducing OAB symptoms and improving HRQoL.
Highlights
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a popular distressing health condition that has negative impact on healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) of the inflicted individuals
According to the International Continence Society, OAB is symptomatic health condition characterized by abnormal urinary urgency that is often accompanied by nocturia and/or daytime frequency that could be with or without urgent urinary incontinence in the absence of any obvious urinary tract infections and/or any other underlying pathologies [2, 3]
Multivariate logistic regression showed that dentistry students were 1.94-fold more likely to report less than optimal HRQoL compared to medicine students, female students were 1.91-fold more likely to report less than optimal HRQoL compared to male students, and students who selfreported high stress were 1.88-fold more likely to report less than optimal HRQoL compared
Summary
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a popular distressing health condition that has negative impact on healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) of the inflicted individuals. This multicenter study was conducted to determine the prevalence of OAB symptoms and their impact on the HRQoL of medical and dentistry students. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a popular and distressing condition that has negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the inflicted individuals [1]. Previous epidemiological studies have reported variable prevalence rates of OAB among the general public that ranged from 3 to 43% [4,5,6,7]. Anxiety, depression, embarrassment, and difficulties in sleep and sexual relationships were previously reported as common among individuals with OAB [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
