AIM: To report the debate on the relationship between overactive bladder (OAB) in children and adults during the ICI-RS meeting in 2010. METHODS: Literature supporting or being against the theory that OAB in children and adults represents the same condition has been reviewed and debated. RESULTS: Growing evidence is showing a strong link between urinary symptoms in childhood, such as nocturnal enuresis (NE) and OAB symptoms, and OAB in adulthood. Behavioral and environmental factors may have an important role in predisposed subjects. Studies on familial and genetic factors have been reported. CONCLUSION: It might be inappropriate to state that OAB in children and adults represents the same condition. However, epidemiological and genetic findings demonstrate a strong link between OAB symptoms in these two different ages of life. Predisposing factors and behavioral and/or environmental elements may lead to OAB occurrence in adults.
AIM: To report the debate on the relationship between overactive bladder (OAB) in children and adults during the ICI-RS meeting in 2010. METHODS: Literature supporting or being against the theory that OAB in children and adults represents the same condition has been reviewed and debated. RESULTS: Growing evidence is showing a strong link between urinary symptoms in childhood, such as nocturnal enuresis (NE) and OAB symptoms, and OAB in adulthood. Behavioral and environmental factors may have an important role in predisposed subjects. Studies on familial and genetic factors have been reported. CONCLUSION: It might be inappropriate to state that OAB in children and adults represents the same condition. However, epidemiological and genetic findings demonstrate a strong link between OAB symptoms in these two different ages of life. Predisposing factors and behavioral and/or environmental elements may lead to OAB occurrence in adults.