Introduction

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by urinary urgency, with or without incontinence, often linked to excess body weight and lacking an identifiable organic pathological cause. It affects about a significant proportion of women, with higher risk in peri- and postmenopausal stages. Severe cases, common in women over 65 years of age, include nocturia, frequent urination, sleep disruption, depression, and reduced quality of life. OAB negatively impacts health, productivity, mental well-being, sexual function, cognition, and social life. Both genders experience OAB, though symptoms, psychological effects, and quality-of-life impact differ by gender.

Aim

To assess the correlation of metabolic syndrome (METS) in women with and without overactive bladder (OAB).

Method

Study Design

Search Strategy and Data Analysis

• The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered at PROSPERO 
• Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LILACS for studies on METS outcomes related to OAB up to October 2024
• A meta-analysis using random-effects models was conducted, reporting results as mean difference (MD), standardized MD (SMD), or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals
• Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and quality was evaluated via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale 

Results

• The systematic and meta-analysis included four case-control studies with low or moderate risk of bias reported information about the association of METS in women
• All the studies were based on the 8-item OAB questionnaire (OAB-V8), which consists of 8 questions to define the presence and severity of OAB symptoms
• Women with OAB-V8 scores >8 were classified as OAB patients and those with PAB-V8 scores <8 were classified as control group
• The anthropometric properties and MET component parameters were evaluated
• OAB patients had significantly higher body mass index (BMI, MD: 3.27, 95% CI: 2.12, 4.43), waist circumference (MD: 7.96, 95% CI: 4.41, 11.52) as compared to the control group
• Fasting blood glucose (SMD: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.18, 2.34), triglycerides (SMD: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.47), and LDL-cholesterol (SMD: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.06, 0.54) levels were substantially higher in the women with OAB
• The HDL-cholesterol levels were also lower in the OAB group (SMD: -0.40, 95% CI: -0.74, -0.06) vs control group
• The differences in circulating total cholesterol levels and rates of hypertension, hysterectomy, postmenopausal status, and constipation were not significant in women with and without OAB

Conclusion

• This meta-analysis found women with overactive bladder exhibit significant anthropometric and metabolic changes vs controls, suggesting a link with metabolic syndrome.
• Future studies should explore BMI reduction through diet and physical activity in larger study populations.

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2025 Dec;41(1):2445682. Doi: 10.1080/09513590.2024.2445682.