Overactive bladder (OAB)—a group of urinary symptoms that includes an urgent need to urinate, usually frequently, with or without urinary leakage (incontinence)—affects about 33 million Americans, the majority of whom are women. Yet, only 27 percent of those bothered by OAB will seek treatment.
One study found that even when a patient mentioned new or worsening incontinence, only 44 percent of physicians obtained an incontinence history.