DUBLIN AND CHARLESTON, SC, November 14, 2017 — Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN), in partnership with the National Association For Continence (NAFC), today announced the results of a new survey that revealed the impact of overactive bladder (OAB) and related symptoms on those living with the condition, as well as the extremes to which people will go to cope with or hide their symptoms. While commonly believed to be a result of weakened pelvic muscles following childbirth or just part of the aging process, the survey found that more than a quarter of the 100 respondents were diagnosed at the age of 34 or younger, and nine percent were diagnosed before 24 years of age.
“People can start experiencing symptoms of OAB at an early age, learning to settle for a lifetime of silently struggling with an uncomfortable condition,” says Steven Gregg, PhD, Executive Director of the NAFC. “Many who suffer live in constant fear of their next accident, and feel the need to plan activities around access to a bathroom to hide symptoms from friends, family or colleagues.”
The survey found that 86 percent of respondents experience OAB symptoms multiple times a day. Yet, despite reported frequency and impact of symptoms, 40 percent of the respondents have either discontinued treatment or never been treated for OAB. That may be due in large part to the fact that nearly half of all survey respondents would feel more comfortable discussing their OAB symptoms if his or her doctor brought it up first.
Other key findings from the survey of 100 people living with symptoms or who have been diagnosed with OAB include:
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66 percent say that OAB symptoms – the sudden urge to urinate, incontinence or leaking, frequent urination, and waking up at night to urinate – are a daily disruption.
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Of the 86 percent who experience symptoms multiple times a day, 32 percent report symptoms 6-8 times per day and 12 percent experience symptoms at least every hour.
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OAB also affects emotional health. Survey respondents report feeling moderately-to- extremely frustrated (85 percent), and embarrassed (81 percent) because of living with OAB.
Seek an accurate diagnosis, and find out about treatment options that can be used to treat OAB. To learn more about OAB and the available treatment options, visit www.dontsettle.com.
About the Survey
The survey, titled “Living with Overactive Bladder,” was conducted by Allergan and the NAFC to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by individuals who experience OAB and the impact it has on daily life and, ultimately, to raise awareness of the prevalence of the condition. The survey was open from September 26 – October 23, 2017. It included 100 respondents, recruited via the NAFC website (https://www.nafc.org/). All responses were anonymous.
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