To evaluate overactive bladder (OAB, dry and wet) and the associated risk factors of OAB wet (with incontinence) in type 2 diabetes.

A self-administered questionnaire containing the OAB symptom score (OABSS, 0-15, with higher numbers indicating an increasing severity of symptoms) was obtained from subjects with type 2 diabetes at a dedicated diabetic center. The association of age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index, waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin level, high-sensitive C-reactive protein level, and diabetes-associated complications to the risk of OAB and OAB wet was evaluated.

Of 1359 consecutive subjects, 22.5% reported having OAB, with 11.7% reporting OAB dry and 10.8% OAB wet. The difference in symptom severity was statistically significant among those without OAB and those with OAB dry and OAB wet (OABSS 2.5 ± 1.4, 5.9 ± 1.6, and 8.9 ± 2.6, respectively). The prevalence of OAB and OAB wet was 2.4-fold and 4.2-fold greater, respectively, in patients with a diabetes duration >10 years and age >50 years. Age and male sex and age and waist circumference were independent risk factors for OAB and OAB wet, respectively, after multivariate analysis. Glycated hemoglobin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were similar between patients with diabetes patients with and without OAB.

In the dedicated diabetic center in which all patients were screened, 22.5% had OAB, and 48.0% of those with OAB had incontinence. These findings can help guide the collaboration between urologists and diabetologists to work toward developing screening for, and early treatment of, urologic complications in higher risk patients.