Do patients with OAB experience bladder sensations in the same way as healthy volunteers? A focus group investigation.

AIMS: To describe the terminology and pattern of bladder sensations experienced during non-invasive rapid bladder filling in a controlled setting in patients with OAB and to compare these results with a previous study conducted in healthy volunteers.
METHODS: Three groups of patients with OAB, in total 10 patients, participated in three consecutive focus group sessions. Before each session a strict water loading protocol was given. During the first two sessions, participants described how they experienced their bladder sensations in daily life and during a non-invasive bladder filling with constant focus on their bladder. The third session focused on verifying the interpretation of the data gathered and describing the pattern of sensations.
RESULTS: Patients describe their bladder sensations as a pressure or a tingling sensation and the pattern can be described by terms ranging from no sensation to an absolute need to void. The absolute need to void may develop suddenly or more slowly progressive. The mean development of bladder sensation is significantly different between patients and healthy volunteers as well as their average diuresis.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OAB describe their bladder sensations as a pressure or a tingling sensation. There appear to be two types of urgency: a sudden absolute need to void and a slowly developing absolute need to void. Furthermore bladder sensation develops significantly different in volunteers than in OAB patients.