The Relationship Between Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Bladder Symptom Severity and Anxiety Level in Women with Overactive Bladder

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) and bladder symptom severity and anxiety level in women with Overactive Bladder (OAB). Method: Forty women with OAB were included in the study. Physical and clinic characteristics of the patients were recorded. The PFMS of the patients with perineometer, symptoms severity related to OAB with Overactive Bladder-V8 Questionnaire (OAB-V8), urgency with Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Score (PPIUS) and anxiety level with Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory were evaluated. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used for analysis. Results: It was found a moderate negative correlation between the PFMS and OAB-V8 (p < 0.001; r= -0.568), PPIUS (p= 0.004; r= -0.447) and trait anxiety scores (p= 0.010; r= -0.440). It was not detected a significant correlation between the PFMS and state anxiety scores (p= 0.451; r= -0.134). Conclusion: In this study, it was seen a negative correlation between the PFMS and symptoms severity related to OAB, and trial anxiety level in women with OAB. It should be taken into account increasing the PFMS in treatment of these patients for decreasing the AAM symptoms and anxiety level