OBJECTIVES: . The reluctance of those with overactive bladder OAB to seek medical advice can leave a considerable part of the population untreated, with significant costs for society. The present study investigates the burden of individuals who experience symptoms of OAB but are not treated. METHODS: . Data were taken from the 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK) 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), a cross-sectional survey representative of the total adult populations in each 5EU market. 62,000 respondents self-reported physician diagnosis of various health conditions, including 1,347 who reported symptoms compatible with OAB. These respondents were compared to those who didn’t report symptoms of OAB. Variables of interest were demographics (age, gender, marital status, education, income and employment status), BMI, alcohol and smoke behaviour, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI). RESULTS: . The OAB group, compared to the controls, was older (57 vs. 47 years), with a lower education level (49.14% went to college vs. 54.49%), less were in a relationship (26.43% vs. 31.82%), less were employed (35.04% vs. 58.15%), more were obese (31.11% vs. 17.22%), they had lower HR-QoL (SF-36v2, PCS: 42.09 vs. 51.36; MCS: 42.55 vs. 46.25; Utility: 0.62 vs. 0.73), had lower work productivity (overall work impairment of 34.46 vs. 20.03) and higher activity impairment (46.07 vs. 24.35). All differences were significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: . Respondents reporting symptoms compatible with OAB but are not treated and would not be captured by clinical studies, are significantly worse-off than the rest of the population, e.g. in their quality of life, income and work productivity.  It is likely that undergoing treatment would benefit them and decrease healthcare costs.