A NEW study analysing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2020 has found a strong association between arthritis and overactive bladder (OAB). The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that individuals with arthritis, especially osteoarthritis (OA), may be at a higher risk of developing OAB symptoms.
Researchers evaluated 24,436 participants, diagnosing arthritis through health questionnaires and assessing bladder dysfunction using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). After adjusting for various factors, the study found that individuals with arthritis had a 37% higher likelihood of experiencing OAB compared to those without arthritis (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22–1.54). The strongest association was observed in osteoarthritis patients (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.22–1.62), while rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis showed no significant correlation with OAB.
These findings highlight a potential overlap between musculoskeletal and urological health, suggesting that arthritis patients should be screened for bladder symptoms as part of their care. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this connection and explore potential treatment strategies.
Reference
Sun Y et al. New insights into the association between arthritis and overactive bladder in NHANES 2005–2020. Sci Rep. 2025;DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89926-w.
