The overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a term describing a symptom complex accepted by the International Continence Society in 2002. The symptom complex describes a collection of irritative symptoms with urgency, as the key symptoms and is has been adopted in the latest guidance on terminology.The condition affects around 17% of the population with 2.4% having clinically significant, bothersome and socially disabling symptoms which have a significant impact on quality of life. In the UK the NICE guidelines highlight the importance of proper history taking and investigation including frequency–volume charts. Treatment should be based on lifestyle changes supplemented by pharmacotherapy.Anticholinergics remain the mainstay of drug therapy. Recent changes in the number of preparations and routes of administration may offer some advantages in reducing side effects and maximizing efficacy. In 20% of cases the patient will remain refractory and in such cases either Botulinum toxin or neuromodulation may confer an advantage.