The underlying contributors to UAB include neurologic disease, metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes), chronic bladder outlet obstruction (e.g. obstructive BPH or complications of anterior vaginal surgery), cognitive decline (such as with aging), psychiatric disorders, and adverse effects of medications.

[citation needed] There is no standardized evaluation of the symptoms of UAB, in part due to the historic terminologic confusion.

If low-pressure urine storage can be assured, and the urinary reservoir is known to be limited to the bladder, the general value of urodynamic study in UAB is unclear.

In specific situations, invasive urodynamics may be helpful to distinguish bladder outlet obstruction from DU, although this distinction can be difficult.

In most cases, a class of drugs called 'parasympathomimetics' are the first-line options for pharmaceutical management, however, the evidence surrounding their effectiveness is still developing.