J Korean Med Sci.  2021 Nov;36(46):e293. 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e293.

Prevalence of Bladder Pain Syndromelike Symptoms: a Population-based Study in Korea

• Lee JW
• Yoo KH
• Choi H

• KMID: 2522878
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e293

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the prevalence of bladder pain syndrome (BPS)-like symptoms in the general population of South Korea.
Methods
Between April 16, 2016 and April 29, 2016, we conducted an online survey and computer-assisted personal interviews with adults aged 40–79 years in Korea using structured questionnaires. The sample size was 3,000 (95% confidence level standard error ± 1.79%), and the sampling method was simple randomization according to sex, age, and residential area in proportion to the resident registration demographics of the Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety as of March 2016. All participants were surveyed using the Korean version of the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) Patient Symptom Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The primary outcome was the prevalence of BPS-like symptoms, defined as a total PUF score of ≥ 12.
Results
Overall, the prevalence of BPS-like symptoms was 16.4% (483 of 3,000 participants). Women (21.4%) had a significantly higher prevalence of BPS-like symptoms than men (10.7%) (P < 0.01). The prevalence by age was significantly higher in the 70s group than in the other age groups (P < 0.01), and increased significantly with the increasing severity of depression on the GDS (P < 0.01). The prevalence of BPS-like symptoms according to the marital status was significantly different, that is, the prevalence among divorced/bereaved individuals was higher than those of married or unmarried individuals (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
Our large, representative population-based study showed that BPS-like symptoms are widespread among the general population of South Korea. BPS is considered a disease that deserves greater attention as it is far more common than previously thought and can negatively affect many people's quality of life.

Keyword

Bladder Pain Syndrome; Prevalence; Population; Questionnaire

Figure

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  Fig. 1 PUF Patient Symptom Scale according to sex, age, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (Total respondents, n = 3,000; Unit: points). Statistical significance of the difference in the PUF Patient Symptom Scale: independent t-test, analysis of variance (**P < 0.01). Arrows indicate that there is a linearly significant difference.PUF = Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency.

• 

  Fig. 2 Prevalence of bladder pain syndrome-like symptoms according to the PUF Patient Symptom Scale (Base: Total respondents, n = 3,000; Unit: %). Statistical significance of the difference in the PUF Patient Symptom Scale: Z-test (**P < 0.01). Bladder pain syndrome-like symptoms was defined as the PUF total score ≥ 12.PUF = Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency.

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