The Effect of Urinary Problems on Quality of Life in Men and Women.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating men and women with urinary problems including frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary urgency and incontinence.
How Botox Treatment Improves Quality of Life.
Patient Satisfaction after Botox for OAB
How Do You Assess Quality Of Life?
Quality of life is measured by a questionnaire administered to patients, called I-QOL. Studies of patients who continued on Botox treatment for 4 years show that patients experience 75% improvement in their quality of life score during the first year and the benefit persists. This improvement is not temporary but is consistent and persists during treatment. For example among patients who had a second treatment, the improvement in the quality of life was similarly good, greater than 75%.
One can measure frequency, urine volume, number of incontinence episode and how many times people get up in the night. But these measurements, while essential do not really tell us about how the patient feels and reacts to OAB.
How does OAB Affect the Quality of Life in Men and Women?
People with OAB make adjustments to their lives: they may give up activities they previously enjoyed for fear of embarrassment. They are often anxious, frustrated, depressed and conscious of possible urine smell. They map out where the restrooms are on their trips, dehydrate themselves (which can become a serious health problem in the elderly), chose the aisle seats on trains and airplanes and avoid sexual intimacy, especially if they fear incontinence.
Patients suffering from symptoms of poor bladder control such as urinary leakage, frequent runs to the toilet and urgency have a significant reduction on social activities. They limit trips to go shopping, visiting friends and to partake in sports and travel. They may wear bulky pads and bulky clothes to protect themselves against embarrassing episodes.
Studies show that among patients with overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder symptoms, 24% people worry about the availability of bathrooms, 14% about a loss of control, 11% are anxious and 10% worry about a loss of sleep.
Younger patients in particular worried about being less attractive and being less sexually fulfilled. Only around 23% of men felt that OAB had not affected their lifestyle.
Studies show that the effect of bladder control problems on self-worth, attractiveness, and quality of life is tremendously negative.
Oral medication leads to significant improvement in the quality of life in 36% of patients. Most patients do not experience as a great improvement in the quality of life symptoms from medications due to side effects and non-compliance (do not take them regularly).
Does Botox Help with Quality of Life in Men and Women with Overactive Bladder?
Studies that compare Botox with a placebo, show that Botox injections in the urinary bladder lead to significant improvement in the quality of life. The necessity for using pads is reduced and sleep quality improved. Work and daily life improved as did sexual relationships. Even among patients who developed UTI or required to self-catheterize temporarily felt that their quality of life is better off with Botox than without it.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151