Quality of Life Assessment in Thai Postmenopausal Women with an Overactive Bladder
Suvit Bunyavejchevin, MD, MHS*, Somnuek Veeranarapanich, MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University ** Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hatyai Regional Hospital, Songkhla
Objective : To compare the quality of life (QoL) among 3 groups of Thai postmenopausal women with an
overactive bladder (OAB), diabetes, and without these conditions.
Materials and Methods : A total cross-sectional cohort of 180 postmenopausal women aged 48-60 years (60
had OAB, 60 diabetes and 60 controls) were recruited from the menopause clinic and diabetes clinic of
Hatyai regional hospital between June and December 2003. Information on QoL were collected by the SF-36
questionnaire, validated for Thai women.
Results : There was no significant difference in the patient’s demographic characteristics. All dimensions of
QoL score of women with OAB and diabetes were lower than the scores of the controls. When compared
with diabetes, OAB had significantly lower scores in the general health, social function and role-function
emotional dimensions.
Conclusion : QoL was significantly impaired in Thai postmenopausal women with OAB and diabetes
compared to those women without these conditions. General health, social function and role-function
emotional dimensions were particularly affected.
Keywords : Quality of life, Thai postmenopausal women, Overactive bladder, Diabetes
