Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 258 www.topicsingeriatricrehabilitation.com October–December 2016 T he aging of the population in recent decades has occurred at a progressive rate. 1 Recent data indicate that the number of Brazilians 65 years or older may quadruple by the year 2060 (Brazilian Institute of Geogra- phy and Statistics, Demographic Census, 2010). 2 Aging is accompanied by physiological changes, including a reduced bladder capacity and altered muscle tone of pelvic floor, which favor the occurrence of overactive bladder syndrome (OBS). 3 Other aspects of the aging process, such as functional incapacity, greater use of medications, a low level of physical activity and social isolation, may be associ- ated with mental health problems, such as depression. 4 OBS is characterized by the frequent urge to urinate with or without incontinence, generally accompanied by pol- lakiuria and nocturia, but with no infection of the urinary tract or other causal pathological condition. 5 Pollakiuria is defined as a daytime urinary frequency. It can be isolated or may be a manifestation of lower urinary tract infections, bladder instability, nephrolithiasis, or concentrated acidic urines. Nocturia is characterized by voluntary nocturnal micturitions secondary to conditions inducing impaired renal concentration ability, or to heart failure. The preva- lence of symptoms of the lower urinary tract infection is greater in women than in men. 6 Among these symptoms, urinary incontinence is considered a serious problem that causes physical, psychological, and sexual adversities, lead- ing to emotional and social strain that can trigger mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, 7,8 with a negative impact on quality of life. 9 Depression is the most common mental health prob- lem among older adults and is difficult to diagnose. Accord- ing to the Brazilian Health Ministry, depression will be the main cause of disability in developing countries by the year 2020. 10 Depression is characterized by profound sadness, irritability, sentimental and emotional changes, feelings of guilt, helplessness, disinterest in activities previously con- sidered pleasurable, sleep disorders, altered appetite, and social isolation. 11,12 Urinary incontinence and depression are more preva- lent among women. 4,6,13,14 International studies report that approximately half of all women develop urinary inconti- nence and present one or more episodes of depression throughout their lives. 7,14 Those with both conditions expe- rience a greater reduction in quality of life and functional capacity in comparison to those with only one of these conditions. 15 Moreover, studies have suggested a relation- ship between OBS and depression. 16-18 However, there is no definite conclusion regarding whether depression is a cause or consequence of OBS, which makes this relation- ship more complex and poorly understood. The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between OBS and depression among older women as well as test associations between OBS and both clinical and demographic characteristics. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation • Volume 32, Number 4, 258-263 • Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1097/TGR.0000000000000120 Objective: To evaluate the association between overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) and depression among older women. Methods: One hundred sixty-nine older women answered 2 questionnaires: the Overactive Bladder (OAB-V8) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: One hundred twenty-nine participants (76.3%) had symptoms of OBS (OAB-V8 ≥ 8 points). Among those with OBS, 42.6% exhibited mild or severe depression. A signifi- cant correlation was found between OBS and depression ( r = 0.354; P = .001). Conclusions: A high prevalence rate of OBS was found in older women and a large portion of these women exhibited symptoms of mild and severe depression. Key words: aged, depression, urge urinary incontinence, urinary bladder overactive Association Between Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Depression Among Older Women Aline Teixeira Alves, PhD; Raquel Henriques Jácomo, MsC; Renata Cristina Martins e Silva, PT; Liana Barbaresco Gomide, PhD; Albênica Paulino dos Santos Bontempo, PT; Patrícia Azevedo Garcia, PhD Authors Affiliations: University of Brasília–Campus Ceilândia, Brasilia, Brazil (Drs Alves, Gomide, Garcia, and Bontempo and Ms e Silva); and University Hospital of Brasilia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil (Ms Jácomo). The authors are grateful to all Health Center staff 4 of Ceilândia for their support in providing a health care provider for the patients. The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article. Correspondence: Aline Teixeira Alves, PhD, University of Brasilia–Campus Ceilândia–Colegiado de Fisioterapia, Centro Metropolitano, Conjunto A, Lote 01, Ceilândia, Zip Code 72220-900, Brasilia, DF, Brazil (alinealves@unb.br).