Overactive bladder (OAB) is the most common cause of voiding dysfunction in children. Urinary Incontinence (UI) is seen in around 14-30% of OAB cases. A recent study suggests that Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with urinary incontinence and OAB than in healthy children. The study findings were published online in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology on January 10, 2022.
Studies have shown that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with OAB syndrome. However, studies evaluating the relationship between vitamin D and OAB in the pediatric age group is rare. Therefore, Dr Burak Özçift and Dr Uygar Micoogullari conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and OAB-related symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in children.
In a prospective cohort study, the researchers included 52 pediatric patients with OAB-related urinary incontinence and 41 healthy children. They assessed Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptoms Score (DVISS) questionnaire, and QoL was assessed using the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire (PINQ). They administered oral vitamin D supplementation to patients with OAB with vitamin D deficiency. They further evaluated urinary symptoms and QoL before and after vitamin D.
Key findings of the study:
Upon analysis, the researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was more common in the OAB group (75%) than in the control group (36.6%).
Upon logistic regression analysis, they found that vitamin D status (<20ng/mL) was a significant predictor of OAB.
They noted that both pre-treatment and post-treatment DVISS and PINQ scores showed a positive correlation.
After vitamin D supplementation, they observed that 8 (23.5%) patients had a complete response and, 19 (55.9%) patients had a partial response.
They also noted a significant improvement in QoL.
The authors concluded, "Vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with urinary incontinence and OAB than in healthy children. Although vitamin D deficiency is not routinely evaluated for every patient, it should be evaluated in treatment-resistant OAB cases. Vitamin D supplementation may improve urinary symptoms and QoL in patients with OAB."
For further information:
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.0645