Introduction: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can result in de novo or worsening genitourinary (GU) symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, and pain/pressure, also referred to as COVID-19 associated cystitis (CAC). The aim of this study was to follow progression of OAB symptoms in patients that previously reported new or worsening OAB symptoms after COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods: 19,128 individuals from a Beaumont COVID-19 serology study, were invited to participate in a follow-up study, with 2,137 subsequent respondents. Participants were divided into a COVID-, Ser+ (positive serology test only) or PCR+ (positive PCR test) groups. Initially, patients were asked to score their OAB symptoms retrospectively prior to the pandemic (baseline) and at present time (day 0). Participants were subsequently asked to score their symptoms at 2-, 4-, 8- and 12-months follow-up. Participants that obtained COVID-19 diagnosis during follow-up phase were excluded from the study. GU symptoms were assessed using the ICIQ-OAB. The minimal important difference (MID) of ICIQ-OAB of 1 is considered a significant change. Data was collected between May 2021 and July 2022. Results: Of 2,137 participants, 564 (26.4%) previously tested positive for COVID, and 1,573 (73.6%) were COVID naïve (COVID-). Of these, 592 participants reported a =1 unit increase in OAB score at study onset (Day 0) compared to pre-pandemic; 243 (41%) were COVID-, 129 (21.8%) had positive serology test (Ser+), and 220 (37.2%) were COVID+ based on PCR test (PCR+). OAB score of these three cohorts were similar at pre-pandemic (2.71 vs 2.97 vs 2.53; p=0.193) but significantly higher at start of study (day 0) in PCR+ versus COVID- or Ser+ groups (5.83 vs 5.12 vs 5.33; p=0.019). In prospective follow-up, change in ICIQ-OAB scores from baseline were recorded at 2, 4, 8 and 12 months. At day 0, both Ser+ and PCR+ cohorts had significantly higher change in OAB score than COVID- group (2.8 and 3.11 vs 2.16; p=0.001). However, after 12 months follow-up, change in OAB score was similar between COVID- (1.86), Ser+ (2.15) and PCR+ (2.09). By 12 months, 74% of COVID-, 80.5% of Ser+ and 72.4% of PCR+ participants still reported significant increase in ICIQ-OAB scores from pre-pandemic levels. Conclusions: We previously demonstrated that COVID-19 infections increases the risk for developing CAC. COVID infected individuals with CAC take up to 12 months to reach levels of COVID- patients with baseline elevated OAB Symptoms. Elevated ICIQ-OAB scores in COVID- participants may be contributed to other consequences of the pandemic such as elevated stress and depression. SOURCE OF Funding: None
