Lower urinary tract symptoms are commonly experienced in a lot of our pelvic floor patients and can include overactive bladder symptoms (frequency, urgency, incontinence), voiding symptoms (incomplete emptying, altered stream or flow, hesitancy) and interstitial cystitis (pain). Naturally, these symptoms can be very distressing and patients often experience anxiety alongside these symptoms. This study was interesting as it investigated the correlation or relationship between bladder symptoms and clinical anxiety through a meta analysis of current research.

The odds ratio of clinically significant anxiety among patients (both male and female) experiencing urinary tract symptoms was 2.87.

That is, the chance that clinically significant anxiety was experienced in patients who had troublesome bladder symptoms was 2.87 times more likely. Odds ratio is a measurement of likelihood – it represents the odds or chance that a specific outcome will occur as a result of a particular exposure.

This study highlights the potential benefits that could come with a thorough, holistic multidisciplinary approach to health care – especially those experiencing bladder symptoms. In managing clinical anxiety with individualised psychological support paired with tailored strategies and treatment to manage bladder symptoms by a pelvic floor physio and urologist, patients could experience improved outcomes and excellent symptom relief.

More studies need to investigate the correlation between anxiety and bladder symptoms in the younger population as, if these symptoms can be managed early, the risk of symptom regression over time would be significantly reduced.

If you have any bladder symptoms that you are concerned about, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly admin team to organise an appointment with one of our pelvic floor physios so that they can provide some highly tailored and individualised strategies to improve your bladder function and health.