Editorial

Overactive Bladder: An Urgent Problem

Authors: Brent A. Parnell, MD

Abstract

Urinary incontinence commonly affects women in the United States (US) with a prevalence of 15.7%. This prevalence increases with age, resulting in greater than 30% of women over 80 years of age experiencing significant incontinence.1 As the population in the US continues to grow older, this association between age and incontinence becomes even more important. By 2050, the elderly population of those aged 65 and older is projected to increase to 88.5 million, which is more than double the current level of 38.7 million. Associated with this change in the demographics is an anticipated 55% increase in Americans dealing with urinary incontinence.2 Importantly, the total cost of overactive bladder (OAB) in the US in 2000 was 12.6 billion dollars for the estimated 34 million affected individuals.3

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