Overactive bladder (OAB) is significantly more common among women living with fibromyalgia (FM) and is associated with greater disease severity and multiple comorbidities, according to a new study published online on December 3 in Neurourology and Urodynamics.

The cross-sectional study, led by Dr. Duygu Kurtulus of the Health Sciences University, Istanbul, evaluated 232 women aged between 18 and 65 years, including 192 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 40 age- and symptom-matched women without FM. The researchers aimed to assess the prevalence of OAB and compare clinical characteristics between the groups.

The findings revealed that 62% of women with fibromyalgia had symptoms of overactive bladder, compared to 28.6% in the control group, highlighting a markedly higher burden of bladder dysfunction among FM patients.

Further analysis showed that fibromyalgia patients with OAB were significantly older and had a longer duration of disease than those without OAB. Importantly, they also reported more intense pain and symptom burden, as reflected by significantly higher scores on the Widespread Pain Index, Symptom Severity Scale, and General Symptom Score.

In addition to increased symptom severity, FM patients with OAB were more likely to have psychiatric comorbidities, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obesity, suggesting a broader pattern of overlapping conditions. The study also identified moderate correlations between OAB symptoms and the severity of fibromyalgia, reinforcing the link between bladder dysfunction and overall disease impact.

“Fibromyalgia patients with overactive bladder had greater symptom severity, greater psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, and reduced functional ability,” the authors noted, adding that these patients fared worse not only compared to FM patients without OAB but also when compared to controls who had OAB.

The researchers emphasised that recognising and addressing overactive bladder symptoms in women with fibromyalgia could be crucial for improving overall quality of life and functional outcomes. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing fibromyalgia, with greater attention to urological symptoms that may otherwise go underdiagnosed.