Cross-Sectional Associations of Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety Symptoms, and Emotional Support Seeking with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Bladder Health

Introduction and Hypothesis: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are known risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). To inform prevention and treatment strategies, this research examined whether greater emotional support seeking weakened associations of affective symptoms with LUTS and poorer bladder health. Methods: Data were collected from women in the USA who participated in the RISE FOR HEALTH study of bladder health. In this cross-sectional analysis (analytic sample n = 1444), self-reported LUTS, perceived bladder health, and perceived impact of bladder health on five domains of living (social and occupational activities, travel, physical activities, intimacy, and emotions) were separately regressed on depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and emotional support seeking. Interaction tests examined whether emotional support seeking modified associations of affective symptoms with LUTS and bladder health. Results: Report of worse depressive symptoms, worse anxiety symptoms, and lower levels of engagement in emotional support seeking were associated with more frequent LUTS, poorer perceived bladder health, and lower perceived positive impact of bladder health on each domain of living. Emotional support seeking was not associated with LUTS and bladder health outcomes when adjusting for affective symptoms, and did not modify associations of affective symptoms with LUTS and bladder health outcomes. Conclusions: Intervention research to prevent LUTS and promote bladder health can test strategies that include screening and providing timely treatment of affective symptoms. Health care providers treating women for LUTS can screen for affective symptoms and make referrals to ensure that both the physical health and the mental health needs of patients are being met.