Study Finds Link Between Osteoarthritis and Overactive Bladder Symptoms

A new analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has identified a significant association between arthritis—particularly osteoarthritis (OA)—and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms as published in Scientific Reports. The findings may have clinical implications for screening and managing urinary symptoms in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

The study evaluated 24,436 participants from NHANES data spanning 2005 to 2020. The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) was used to identify OAB, and arthritis diagnoses were collected via health questionnaires. Researchers applied weighted logistic regression models to assess correlations while controlling for a range of covariates.

After full adjustment, arthritis was positively associated with OAB (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 1.54). Stratified analyses by arthritis subtype revealed a significant association for OA (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.62), while associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were not statistically significant.

“Our research demonstrated that arthritis was closely related to OAB,” the authors noted, emphasizing that “the strongest link was observed in individuals with osteoarthritis.”

Although RA (OR = 1.20; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.46) and PsA (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 0.75 to 2.60) showed elevated odds, confidence intervals for these subtypes crossed unity, suggesting that the associations did not reach statistical significance.

The study highlights a potential overlap in disease burden for a large patient population. As the authors conclude, “Additional research is required to confirm this association,” but these preliminary findings point toward the need for heightened awareness of OAB symptoms in patients with arthritis, especially those diagnosed with OA.

Clinicians treating patients with arthritis may consider incorporating OAB screening as part of routine assessment, particularly in individuals reporting lower urinary tract symptoms or those with risk factors for both conditions.

Reference
Sun Y, Sheng J, Wang K, Feng N. New insights into the association between arthritis and overactive bladder in NHANES 2005-2020. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):5310. Published February 13, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89926-w