Overactive Bladder and the Workplace
Abstract
Purpose of Review: This review examines the associations between overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and the workplace, specifically focusing on aspects of employment, occupational settings, and work toilet environment (i.e., toilet infrastructure and access) that may contribute to the development of OAB or be impacted by urinary symptoms resulting from OAB. Recent Findings: Several, cross-sectional, and clinical studies have identified significant bi-directional associations between the workplace and bladder health, including OAB, as well as important barriers and restrictions facing certain workers afflicted by OAB. Summary: While OAB symptoms and treatments can have negative impacts on employment and occupational opportunities, workplace and occupational settings can have deleterious impacts on bladder health and contribute to the development and exacerbation of OAB. Even though the evidence-based relating OAB and occupational health is expansive and growing, there is still a need for research focusing on homogenous occupational and control group comparisons to determine the causal factors associated with these findings.