Investigation of low back pain, core stability and general well-being in women with overactive bladder syndrome

The aim of the study was to investigate the low back pain, core stability and general well-being in women with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome and to compare with asymptomatic women. Women with (OAB group, n=36, age=44.70±13.40 years, body mass index BMI=28.20±5.50 kg/m2) without OAB syndrome (control group, n=36 years=39.00±12.40 years, BMI=26.2±4.5 kg/m2) were included in the study. Physical and demographic information, and medical history of all women were recorded. The localization of low back pain of women with the body diagram and the severity of pain with 'Visual Analog Scale' were assessed. McGill trunk muscle endurance tests and Sahrmann core stability test were used for core stability. In the content of general well-being, sleep quality with 'Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)' and 'Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)', the severity of fatigue with 'Fatigue Severity Index (FSI)', anxiety and depression levels with 'Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS-A, HADS-D)' were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. The demographic and physical findings of the groups were similar (pages= 0.066 and pbmi=0.091). The percentage of low back pain (p<0.001) and the severity of low back pain (p = 0.020) were higher in the OAB group than in the control group. Trunk flexor, extensor, right and left lateral flexor muscle endurance test results and Sahrmann test results were lower in the OAB group compared to the control group (p<0.001). The PSQI, ISI, FSI, HADS-A, HADS-D scores were higher in the OAB group than in the control group (p<0.001). In this study, it were found that in women with OAB syndrome had higher low back pain incidence and pain intensity, decreased core stability and sleep quality, increased fatigue, anxiety and depression levels compared to asymptomatic women. It may be important to consider these results in treatment approaches of women with OAB. Keywords: Chronic low back pain, core region, fatigue, lower urinary tract, sleep.