Why carry out this study?

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects millions of people worldwide; symptoms experienced may have a negative impact on quality of life and may lead to some patients not seeking treatment.

There are few published data describing the prevalence of OAB symptoms and the associated treatment-seeking behavior of patients with OAB residing in the Middle East.

What was learned from the study?

A high prevalence of OAB was observed in the Middle East with approximately 50% of the women aged ≥ 40 years reporting symptoms suggestive of OAB and > 90% of these women reporting symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Despite the high prevalence of symptoms suggestive of OAB, 74% of women had never been treated and only 13% of women were currently receiving treatment.

There appears to be an unmet medical need in Middle Eastern women aged ≥ 40 years, and strategies to improve treatment-seeking behavior as well as the diagnosis, management and health outcomes may be required.