PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated overactive bladder (OAB) functions in male patients who used antidepressant drugs (ADs) that were previously examined in female patients, based on conflicting data in literature regarding the effects of AD on OAB and the differences between male and female urinary system physiologies (anatomical and hormonal). METHODS: The study included 202 male patients (a control group of 90 healthy subjects, and an experimental group of 112 patients taking ADs for different disorders). All the patients completed the overactive bladder-validated 8 (OAB-V8) questionnaire, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDS). RESULTS: The OAB-V8, ICIQ-SF, and BDS scores for the antidepressant users were significantly higher than those of the control group. The highest prevalence of OAB symptoms was observed in patients taking venlafaxine (68.2%), and the lowest prevalence was in patients taking sertraline (28.0%). Moreover, the frequency of OAB between the antidepressant groups was statistically significant. The univariate logistic regression analyses showed a significant relationship between the presence of OAB, antidepressant usage, BDS score, and the age of a patient. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, the association between the presence of OAB and antidepressant usage was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the incidence of OAB and the severity of OAB symptoms increased in males using antidepressants for various disorders. This may have been due to unique pharmacological effects, on a molecular or individual level, of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Antidepressive Agents ; Depression ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male* ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Sertraline ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive* ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that often leads to complications. We aimed to correlate two complications of DM, polyneuropathy and hyperactive bladder syndrome, using noninvasive measures, such as screening tests. METHODS: We included 80 female and 40 male type 2 diabetic patients in this prospective study. Diabetic polyneuropathy evaluations were conducted using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4), and overactive bladder (OAB) evaluations were performed using the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8). The patients were also evaluated for retinopathy and nephropathy. The diabetic male and female patients with or without OAB were chosen and compared for microvascular complications (polyneuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy). RESULTS: There were no significant correlations between OAB and retinopathy as well as between OAB and nephropathy among diabetic patients (female patients, P>0.05; male patients, P>0.05). However, the patients with OAB were significantly more likely to develop polyneuropathy (female patients, P<0.05; male patients, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, OAB and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are significantly correlated. These correlations were demonstrated using short, understandable, valid, and reliable disease-specific tests without invasive measures. Using these screening tests, both neurologists and urologists can easily diagnose these complications.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies* ; Prospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive*