Persistence and concomitant medication in patients with overactive bladder treated with antimuscarinic agents in primary care. An observational baseline study

Acupuncture therapy of overactive bladder: An umbrella review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common lower urinary tract symptom of bladder storage dysfunction. Numerous studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for overactive bladder, but clinical programs and data were largely inconsistent. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize and analyze the published clinical research data in the field. We aimed to perform an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy.

Methods

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and three China databases (CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data) from the establishment of each database to 1 February 2024. Evaluation tools used the AMSTAR 2 tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) rating system.

Results

A total of seven SRs/MAs were included. Six reviews were rated as critically low on overall confidence and one review was low on confidence based on the AMSTAR 2 tool. The GRADE evidence quality rating demonstrated that the quality of evidence for one outcome indicator was moderate, five were low, and 28 were critically low. Twenty-three of the 34 outcome indicators exhibited a significant improvement compared to the control group. The present research results supported acupuncture as a complementary therapy for OAB patients, but the evidence should be considered carefully due to the methodological flaws identified.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that acupuncture, as traditional Chinese medicine, regulates bladder qi and has a good therapeutic effect in the treatment of OAB.

Long-term effectiveness of an intervention to enhance mirabegron use revision and its deprescribing: 36-month follow-up of a quasi-experimental trial in primary care

OBJECTIVE

This is a follow-up study from a multicenter, prospective, before-and-after quasi-experimental, controlled trial to assess effectiveness at 36 months of an intervention designed to promote the revision and deprescribing of mirabegron in primary care in patients with overactive bladder.

METHODS

Intervention included patients who attended in 17 PHCs located in North Barcelona; control included patients who attended in the other 34 PHCs located in South, East and West Barcelona. The primary endpoint was mirabegron review and deprescribing when GPs considered appropriate, which was measured by the percentage of change of the number of patients with treatment at 36 months compared to the baseline. The intervention consisted of meetings with all the directors of the PHCs; distribution of the infographic to the GPs; providing information regarding the intervention for urologist and gynaecologist; and review of the treatments by the GPs. A monthly follow-up was done during the first year, and every three months thereafter until month 36.

RESULTS

Overall, 1932 patients were included, mean age 71.6 years (female 53.8%). A total of 540 patients included in the intervention discontinued mirabegron at some point during the 36 months follow-up (540/762, 70.8%) compared to 759 patients in the control (759/1170, 64.9%), (p < 0.001). A total of 324/433 patients (74.8%) who discontinued mirabegron use at 12 months remained without pharmacological treatment at 36 months. With respect to the baseline cohort, there was a lower introduction of new patients with mirabegron in the intervention (546/762, 71.6%) compared to the control (1246/1170, 106.5%), (p < .001). Regarding the treated patients, there was an increase of 41.6% in the control and a slight increase of 0.8% in the intervention at 36 months, (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that an intervention can enhance the review use of mirabegron in the primary care setting, and promote their deprescribing.

Diagnosis and management of overactive bladder: A review

AIM

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common and troublesome condition that can significantly impair quality of life. This review aims to educate providers of obstetrics and gynecology services about available therapies for OAB and what to expect following treatment.

METHODS

Here, we review published data from studies that have evaluated available treatments for OAB. Relevant articles published over the past 2 decades, including large multicenter trials, were identified through a literature search using PubMed.gov, and the references in those articles were also manually searched to find additional articles. Treatment guidelines and product labels were also reviewed.

RESULTS

Behavioral therapy is recommended as a first choice for OAB management; pharmacologic treatment (anticholinergics, β₃ -adrenoceptor agonists) as second-line treatment; and onabotulinumtoxinA, peripheral tibial nerve stimulation, and sacral nerve stimulation as third-line therapy for patients refractory or intolerant to first- and second-line treatments. A stepwise approach to treatment through first-, second-, and third-line therapies is recommended, recognizing this may not be appropriate for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

To optimize symptom control and set realistic expectations, patients should be carefully monitored and counseled appropriately on available treatment options.

[Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in urge urinary incontinence: A prospective study]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and its effectiveness over time in urge urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a longitudinal, observational, prospective study without a control group that included patients diagnosed with urge urinary incontinence who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patients were treated with 12 sessions of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation by electroacupuncture. Baseline and post-treatment data were collected from medical records. Patients were assessed by a telephone interview after the treatment. The variables studied were sociodemographic variables, time until interview, the Sandvick and ICIQ-SF questionnaires, daytime urinary frequency, night-time urinary frequency, use of absorbent material and drug treatment. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed and patient outcomes were analysed with generalised linear mixed models by SPSS v. 25 statistics software.

RESULTS

A total of 32 women were included (mean age 58.69±8.96). All variables significantly improved after treatment: Sandvick by 4.38 points (95% CI: 2.68-6.08, P<.001), ICIQ-SF by 8.55 points (95% CI: 5.89-11.22, P<.001), daytime urinary frequency by 2.10 points (95% CI: 1.04-3.16, P<.001) and night-time urinary frequency by 1.31 points (95%CI: 0.58-2.04, P<.001). However, 16.34±9.72 months after treatment, these improvements diminished but without reaching baseline levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation by electroacupuncture is effective for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. Although its effect diminishes over time, the improvement over the baseline situation is maintained during the follow-up period.

Quality of life and treatment persistence evaluation in Spanish patients treated with mirabegron. Results of the BELIEVE study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The BELIEVE study is a European, non-interventional study which includes patients with overactive bladder who were prescribed mirabegron as part of routine clinical practice. Data from the Spanish subpopulation has been obtained for the present study, aiming to analyze health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and treatment persistence of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 11 Spanish hospitals of the BELIEVE study were analyzed. The primary endpoint was to evaluate change of HRQoL from baseline with overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q). Secondary endpoints included treatment persistence, HRQoL based on the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and adverse events. Study follow-up was 12 months, with two visit windows at 2-4 months and 10-12 months.

RESULTS

153 Spanish patients were enrolled in the study. In the Full Analysis Set (FAS), 63.1% were women, and the mean age was 66 years. Symptom bother and HRQoL improved from baseline to 2-4 months and 10-12 months. EQ-5D-5L questionnaire also showed an improved patients' HRQoL. Treatment persistence was high, as 49% of patients remained with mirabegron at 10-12 months. Adverse events were consistent with previous safety profile results of mirabegron, and no unexpected safety issues were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Spanish patients treated with mirabegron in real clinical practice reported improvements in HRQoL, with a good tolerability and persistence to treatment.

Real-world persistence and adherence to oral antimuscarinics and mirabegron in patients with overactive bladder (OAB): a systematic literature review

PURPOSE

To evaluate persistence and adherence of oral pharmacotherapy used in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) in a real-world setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic literature searches of six electronic publication databases were performed to identify observational studies of patients with OAB treated with antimuscarinics and/or mirabegron. Studies obtaining persistence and adherence data from sources other than electronic prescription claims were excluded. Reference lists of identified studies and relevant systematic reviews were assessed to identify additional relevant studies.

RESULTS

The search identified 3897 studies, of which 30 were included. Overall, persistence ranged from 5% to 47%. In studies reporting data for antimuscarinics and mirabegron (n=3), 1-year persistence was 12%-25% and 32%-38%, respectively. Median time to discontinuation was <5 months for antimuscarinics (except one study (6.5 months)) and 5.6-7.4 months for mirabegron. The proportion of patients adherent at 1 year varied between 15% and 44%. In studies reporting adherence for antimuscarinics and mirabegron, adherence was higher with mirabegron (mean medication possession ratio (MPR): 0.59 vs 0.41-0.53; mean proportion of days covered: 0.66 vs 0.55; and median MPR: 0.65 vs 0.19-0.49). Reported determinants of persistence and adherence included female (sex), older age group, use of extended-release formulation and treatment experience.

CONCLUSION

Most patients with OAB discontinued oral OAB pharmacotherapy and were non-adherent 1 year after treatment initiation. In general, mirabegron was associated with greater persistence and adherence compared with antimuscarinics. Combined with existing clinical trial evidence, this real-world review merits consideration of mirabegron for first-line pharmacological treatment among patients with OAB.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017059894.

Transcutaneous stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve for treating refractory urge incontinence of idiopathic and neurogenic origin

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of treatment with transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) in patients with urge urinary incontinence, of neurogenic or nonneurogenic origin, refractory to first-line therapeutic options.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included 65 patients with urge urinary incontinence refractory to medical treatment. A case history review, a urodynamic study and a somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) study were conducted before the TPTNS, studying the functional urological condition by means of a voiding diary. The treatment consisted of 10 weekly sessions of TPTNS lasting 30minutes.

RESULTS

Some 57.7% of the patients showed abnormal tibial SEPs, and 42% showed abnormal pudendal SEPs. A statistically significant symptomatic improvement was observed in all clinical parameters after treatment with TPTNS, and 66% of the patients showed an overall improvement, regardless of sex, the presence of underlying neurological disorders, detrusor hyperactivity in the urodynamic study or SEP disorders. There were no adverse effects during the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

TPTNS is an effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with urge incontinence refractory to first-line therapies and should be offered early in the treatment strategy. New studies are needed to identify the optimal parameters of stimulation, the most effective treatment protocols and long-term efficacy, as well as its applicability to patients with a neurogenic substrate.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of fesoterodine flexible dose in newly diagnosed patients with overactive bladder in routine clinical practice in Spain

Objective

To carry out cost-effectiveness analysis from the Spanish National Health System perspective, of treating overactive bladder (OAB), in newly diagnosed patients with two flexible doses of fesoterodine in routine clinical practice.

Patients and methods

Economic evaluation of flexible-dose fesoterodine in newly diagnosed patients, including two treatment groups: standard escalating from 4 to 8 mg or fast escalating to 8 mg. Costs were estimated from health care resources utilization related to OAB, and were expressed in 2015 Euros. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were obtained from overactive bladder questionnaire-short form. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out.

Results

Three hundred and ninety symptomatic OAB patients treated with fesoterodine and newly diagnosed (141 in fast escalating group and 249 in standard escalating) were analyzed. Adjusted health care total costs were not statistically different; difference −€4.1 (confidence interval: −153.3; 25.1) P=0.842. QALYs were higher in fast escalating to high dose vs standard escalating group, resulting in a cost of −€16,020/QALY gained for fast escalating vs standard escalating group.

Conclusion

When the cost-effectiveness threshold is set at a maximum value of €30,000/QALY gained, fesoterodine fast escalating group was cost-effective vs standard escalating group 67.6% of the time. The treatment with fesoterodine, in female patients newly diagnosed, fast escalating to 8 mg was a cost-effective option relative to escalating traditionally from 4 to 8 mg, in the management of OAB in routine clinical practice, from the Spanish National Health System perspective.