Skip to main content
Intermediate Technical IVT

overactive bladder syndrome

A clinical syndrome characterized by urinary urgency with or without incontinence, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia.

Full Definition

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a clinical diagnosis defined by the International Continence Society as urgency, with or without urgency urinary incontinence, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, in the absence of urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology. OAB affects both men and women and significantly impacts quality of life. The condition may be caused by detrusor overactivity demonstrable on urodynamics (OAB wet) or may occur without detrusor overactivity (OAB dry). Treatment options include behavioral therapies, medications (antimuscarinics, beta-3 agonists), botulinum toxin injection, and neuromodulation.

Usage

Usage note: Distinguish from detrusor overactivity, which is a urodynamic observation rather than clinical syndrome.

In Context

  • "The patient's overactive bladder syndrome significantly impacted her quality of life." — Clinical assessment
  • "First-line treatment for overactive bladder syndrome includes behavioral modifications." — Treatment guideline

Also known as

OAB urgency syndrome

Contrasted with

underactive bladder

Don't confuse with

detrusor overactivity stress incontinence neurogenic bladder

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON