Tolterodine ER reduced increased bladder wall thickness in women with overactive bladder. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group study.

AIMS: We evaluated the effect of Tolterodine extended release (TER) versus placebo on bladder wall thickness (BWT) using transvaginal ultrasound in women with overactive bladder (OAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 79 women with symptoms of OAB with a mean age of 47 years who had a BWT of at least 5 mm and a post-micturition volume of less than 50 mL at screening. Subjects received TER 4 mg or placebo once daily for the first 12 weeks of the study. For the subsequent 12 weeks, all subjects received TER 4 mg once daily. BWT was measured at screening, weeks 12 and 24. Subjects recorded number of micturitions, incontinence episodes and urgency episodes, and volume voided per micturition at regular intervals during the study. RESULTS: Treatment with TER for 12 weeks produced a statistically significant decrease from baseline in BWT (mean [SD] = 0.9 [1.4] mm; P < 0.05) that was not evident following treatment with placebo (0.2 [1.6] mm; P = 0.54). However, the treatment difference did not reach statistical significance (LS Mean = -0.4; 95%CI: -1.2, 0.3; P = 0.25). After 12 weeks of treatment, subjects who had taken TER showed an improvement in each bladder diary variable compared to placebo-treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: TER may have a direct effect on BWT in women with OAB. Larger studies are warranted to further investigate the effect of behavioral interventions and antimuscarinics, such as TER, on BWT in women with OAB and increased BWT.

The effect of elective sham dose escalation on the placebo response during an antimuscarinic trial for overactive bladder symptoms.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the effects of baseline symptom severity and placebo response magnitude on the decision to dose escalate in a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, flexible dose antimuscarinic trial of subjects with overactive bladder symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the placebo arm of the trial were used for this post hoc analysis. Subjects could elect dose escalation at week 2. Those in the placebo arm received sham escalation. RESULTS: Most placebo treated subjects who continued to week 2 elected dose escalation (75% or 325 of 435). Overactive bladder symptoms at baseline were similar between placebo escalators and nonescalators. Nonescalators showed a significantly larger placebo response than escalators, as measured by improvements in bladder diary end points and patient reported outcomes, and by the incidence rate of adverse events before and after sham escalation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the decision to dose escalate among placebo treated subjects is independent of baseline symptom severity but may be influenced by the placebo response magnitude for efficacy assessment and adverse events. Placebo nonescalators showed a rapid, large placebo response while placebo escalators showed a smaller placebo response even after sham escalation. These observations may have important implications for the design and interpretation of flexible dose trials using a placebo control.

Add-on fesoterodine for residual storage symptoms suggestive of overactive bladder in men receiving α-blocker treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Male lower urinary tract symptoms are often attributed to bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and treated with drugs targeting the prostate. However, many men with storage lower urinary tract symptoms may not respond adequately to these agents. Antimuscarinics, with or without an α-blocker, may be effective for the treatment of the storage symptoms of overactive bladder in some men. Flexible-dose fesoterodine as an add-on treatment significantly improved urinary frequency and symptom bother, but not urgency episodes (primary endpoint), versus add-on placebo and was well tolerated in men with persistent overactive bladder symptoms despite receiving α-blocker. OBJECTIVE: • To evaluate flexible-dose fesoterodine vs placebo in men with persistent overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms despite receiving α-blocker treatment SUBJECTS AND METHODS: • This was a double-blind, 12-week, flexible-dose trial. • Men with persistent storage symptoms (≥ 8 micturitions and ≥ 3 urgency episodes per 24 h) after receiving an α-blocker for ≥ 6 weeks were randomized to add-on fesoterodine 4 mg or placebo, with optional dose escalation to 8 mg at week 4 and reduction back to 4 mg at week 8 (or matching placebo adjustments). • Subjects completed 3-day diaries, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), and Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) at baseline and weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: • A total of 943 men were randomized and received at least one dose of study treatment (fesoterodine, n= 471; placebo, n= 472). • Among these, 251 (53%) in the fesoterodine group and 300 (64%) in the placebo group requested dose escalation at week 4 and 35 (7%) and 15 (3%) requested dose reduction at week 8. Changes from baseline to week 12 in urgency episodes (primary endpoint) in the fesoterodine (-3.2) and placebo (-2.9) groups were not significantly different (P= 0.196), but improvements in micturitions (P= 0.009) and OAB-q symptom bother score (P= 0.007) were significantly greater with fesoterodine. • At week 4, significantly greater improvements in micturitions (P= 0.006), severe urgency episodes (P= 0.006), IPSS storage score (P= 0.022), OAB-q symptom bother score (P= 0.004), and OAB-q health-related quality of life (P= 0.041), but not urgency episodes (P= 0.062), were observed with add-on fesoterodine. • Dry mouth (fesoterodine, 21%; placebo, 6%) and constipation (fesoterodine, 6%; placebo, 2%) were the most common adverse events. Dysuria and urinary retention were reported by 3% and 2% of subjects, respectively, in the fesoterodine add-on group vs 1% and <1% of subjects, respectively in the placebo add-on group. One subject in each group had acute urinary retention requiring catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: • Flexible-dose fesoterodine was well tolerated as an add-on treatment in men with persistent storage symptoms. • Changes in urgency episodes at week 12 (primary endpoint) and many secondary endpoints were not significantly different between fesoterodine and placebo add-on treatment; however, improvements in frequency and symptom bother were significantly greater with fesoterodine. • These data suggest that there remains a limited understanding of the optimal evaluation and treatment of men with LUTS.

Superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release with rapid onset: a prospective, head-to-head, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: • To show the superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release (ER) in a placebo-controlled overactive bladder (OAB) trial with predefined treatment comparisons for both diary measures and patient-reported outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: • In this 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy trial, subjects reporting >1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episode and ≥8 micturitions per 24 h at baseline were randomized to fesoterodine (4 mg for 1 week, 8 mg for 11 weeks), tolterodine ER 4 mg, or placebo. • Subjects completed 3-day bladder diaries, the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) and the Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) at baseline and weeks 1, 4 and 12 and the OAB Questionnaire at baseline and week 12. RESULTS: • A total of 2417 subjects were randomized. At week 12, fesoterodine 8 mg showed superiority over tolterodine ER 4 mg and placebo on UUI episodes (primary endpoint), micturitions, urgency and most other diary endpoints, and on the PPBC, UPS and all OAB Questionnaire scales and domains (all P < 0.05). • Superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg over tolterodine ER 4 mg was seen as early as week 4 (3 weeks after escalation to fesoterodine 8 mg). At week 1, fesoterodine 4 mg was superior to placebo on most diary variables, the PPBC and the UPS (all P < 0.05). Dry mouth and constipation rates were 28% and 4% with fesoterodine, 13% and 3% with tolterodine ER, and 5% and 2% with placebo. • Discontinuation rates as a result of adverse events were 5%, 3% and 2% for fesoterodine, tolterodine ER and placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: • In this randomized study, which is the largest to compare antimuscarinic efficacy performed to date, fesoterodine 8 mg was superior to tolterodine ER 4 mg for UUI episodes, micturitions and urgency episodes, as well as for self-reported patient assessments of bladder-related problems, urgency, symptom bother and health-related quality of life. • The superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg over tolterodine ER 4 mg was observed as early as 3 weeks after escalation from fesoterodine 4 mg for most outcomes. These data may have important implications for the clinical management of OAB patients previously treated with tolterodine ER.

Effects of voluntary dose escalation in a placebo-controlled, flexible-dose trial of fesoterodine in subjects with overactive bladder.

AIMS: To characterize the response to fesoterodine treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) in subjects who did or did not choose to dose escalate in a flexible-dose study. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to fesoterodine 4 mg or placebo. At week 2, subjects could remain on 4 mg (non-escalators) or choose to increase to 8 mg (escalators) for the remaining 10 weeks (sham escalation for placebo). Subjects completed 3-day bladder diaries at baseline, week 2 and week 12 noting micturitions, urgency episodes, and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes. RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent of 438 subjects randomized to fesoterodine and 73% of 445 randomized to placebo dose escalated. At baseline, fesoterodine escalators had significantly more micturitions and urgency episodes than fesoterodine non-escalators (P < 0.001); at week 2, before dose escalation, diary-dry rate and improvement in micturitions and urgency episodes were significantly greater among fesoterodine non-escalators versus escalators (P < 0.001); and by week 12, after dose escalation, diary-dry rate and improvements in micturitions and UUI episodes were similar between fesoterodine non-escalators and escalators (P > 0.05). The placebo escalator group did not demonstrate a similar response over placebo non-escalators following the dose escalation decision point. CONCLUSION: A rapid and robust response to fesoterodine 4 mg was demonstrated in non-escalators. Subjects who chose to dose escalate to fesoterodine 8 mg at week 2 showed significant improvement by week 12 versus baseline and week 2 (prior to escalation), as well as versus placebo. Dose escalation to 8 mg fesoterodine provided subjects with efficacy and tolerability similar to those who were satisfied with the 4-mg dose.

The psychometric validation of a 1-week recall period for the OAB-q.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: As shorter recall periods are sometimes preferable to longer recall periods, the objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric characteristics and measurement properties of the 1-week recall version of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q). METHODS: Secondary analyses were performed on data for three 12-week clinical trials of fesoterodine. Patients completed the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), the Patient Perception of Urgency Scale (PPUS), and 3-day bladder diaries in addition to the OAB-q at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability, concurrent and discriminant validity and responsiveness of the OAB-q 1-week recall version. RESULTS: The patients in the three studies (Study 1: N=516, Study 2: N=441; Study 3: N=882) had a mean age of 59.6, 59.4, and 59.9 years, respectively; and most of the patients were female (77.1%, 88.9%, and 82.9%) and White (76.6%, 90.0%, and 88.0%). Patients had been diagnosed with OAB for a mean of 5.2, 8.3, and 9.1 years, respectively. Cronbach's alpha values were greater than 0.85 across all samples and subscales. Correlations between the 1-week recall version of the OAB-q and the PPBC, PPUS, and most of the bladder diary variables were moderate to strong. Discriminant validity of the OAB-q was good, with significant differences in mean OAB-q scores across all response categories of the PPUS. The OAB-q was highly responsive to changes in patients' conditions as indicated by moderate to large effect sizes. The OAB-q 1-week recall version has a similar factor structure to the 4-week recall version with each subscale model demonstrating acceptable fit. CONCLUSION: The 1-week recall version of the OAB-q appears to be reliable, valid, and responsive and is psychometrically equivalent to the 4-week recall version. The validation of the 1-week recall version offers researchers and clinicians an additional option for using the OAB-q.

Efficacy and safety of tolterodine extended-release in men with overactive bladder symptoms treated with an α-blocker: effect of baseline prostate-specific antigen concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the efficacy and safety of a combination of tolterodine extended-release (ER) plus α-blocker treatment varies with high or low levels of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in men who have persistent overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms after any α-blocker monotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men aged ≥ 40 years were eligible if they reported ≥ 8 micturitions/24 h, including ≥ 1 urgency episode/24 h with or without urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and at least some moderate bladder-related problems at baseline despite receiving treatment with an α-blocker for ≥ 1 month. Exclusion criteria included a postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) of ≥ 200 mL and history of acute urinary retention requiring catheterization. Subjects were randomly assigned to tolterodine-ER 4 mg or placebo for 12 weeks; all subjects continued their α-blocker treatment throughout the study. Subjects completed 5-day bladder diaries at baseline and week 12, in which they recorded all micturitions and rated the sensation associated with each micturition using the 5-point Urinary Sensation Scale (USS). For this post hoc analysis, efficacy, safety, and tolerability data were stratified by the study median PSA concentration at baseline (1.41 ng/mL). RESULTS: In the tolterodine-ER +α-blocker and placebo +α-blocker groups, 160 and 159 men, respectively, had PSA levels of <1.41 ng/mL, and 166 and 160 men, respectively, had PSA levels of ≥ 1.41 ng/mL. Men with higher PSA levels were slightly older and had higher PVR at baseline compared with men with lower PSA levels. At week 12, improvements in daytime micturitions, 24-h urgency episodes, and daytime urgency episodes were significantly greater with tolterodine-ER +α-blocker vs placebo +α-blocker both in men with PSA levels of ≥ 1.41 ng/mL and those with PSA levels of < 1.41 ng/mL (P < 0.05). Among men with PSA levels of < 1.41 ng/mL, improvements in 24-h micturitions and frequency-urgency sum (sum of USS ratings for all micturitions) were also significantly greater with tolterodine-ER +α-blocker vs placebo +α-blocker (P < 0.05). There were no significant treatment differences in change in UUI episodes in either PSA group (although only 19% of subjects reported UUI at baseline), nor in nocturnal micturitions or nocturnal urgency episodes. Among men with PSA levels of ≥ 1.41 ng/mL, there was a statistically significant increase in PVR (P = 0.036) and decrease in maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max); P = 0.038) with tolterodine-ER +α-blocker vs placebo +α-blocker; these changes were not considered clinically meaningful. There were no treatment differences for changes in PVR or Q(max) among men with PSA levels of < 1.41 ng/mL. One subject receiving tolterodine-ER +α-blocker (PSA concentration of ≥ 1.41 ng/mL) and two subjects receiving placebo +α-blocker (one each in the PSA concentration subgroups of ≥ 1.41 ng/mL and < 1.41 ng/mL) had acute urinary retention requiring catheterization. CONCLUSION: In a 12-week study, the addition of tolterodine-ER to α-blocker therapy improved key OAB symptoms and appeared to be well tolerated compared with placebo +α-blocker in men with persistent OAB symptoms, regardless of subjects' prostate size as judged by serum PSA concentration.

Fesoterodine in patients with overactive bladder syndrome: can the severity of baseline urgency urinary incontinence predict dosing requirement?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether baseline urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes predict the need for increased doses of fesoterodine in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), as clinicians would benefit from data that help to predict which patients require higher doses of antimuscarinics to manage UUI episodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this pooled analysis of data from two double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, patients were randomized to placebo or fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg for 12 weeks and stratified into tertiles (>0-<2, 2-<4, or > or =4) according to the number of UUI episodes/24 h as recorded in 3-day bladder diaries at baseline. The change in mean UUI episodes/24 h from baseline to end of study was assessed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: In a post hoc analysis of data from two clinical trials, there were significant reductions from baseline in UUI episodes for fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg vs placebo in patients (n) with >0-<2 (422), 2-<4 (424) and > or =4 (481) UUI episodes at baseline (all P < 0.01). In patients with 2-<4 and > or =4 UUI episodes at baseline, fesoterodine 8 mg gave significantly greater mean reductions (-1.92 and -4.17, respectively) vs fesoterodine 4 mg (-1.43 and -3.31) (P < 0.05). The most common adverse events were dry mouth (placebo, 8%; fesoterodine 4 mg, 19%; and 8 mg, 35%) and constipation (placebo, 2%; fesoterodine 4 mg, 5%; and 8 mg, 6%). CONCLUSION: Fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg significantly reduced UUI episodes vs placebo; this effect appeared to be greater with fesoterodine 8 mg in patients with > or =2 UUI episodes/24 h at baseline. Fesoterodine was well tolerated, although higher doses increased the incidence of adverse events. These findings might aid the clinical identification of patients with OAB who would most benefit from increasing the dose of fesoterodine from 4 to 8 mg.

Transabdominal ultrasonography of detrusor wall thickness in women with overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical usefulness of measuring detrusor wall thickness (DWT) as a noninvasive test in women with overactive bladder (OAB). PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 122 women with dry OAB, wet OAB, and women with no OAB symptoms (control group). A 3-day voiding diary was used to differentiate between wet and dry OAB. Transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) measurements of DWT were taken at bladder volumes of 250-300 mL and the maximal bladder capacity by both catheter- and natural-filling. Video-urodynamic studies (VUDS) were used to classify bladder dysfunction in 88 of the women. RESULTS: The mean (range) age of the women was 58 (20-94) years. There were 39 'normal' controls, 44 women had dry OAB, and 39 had wet OAB. Of the 88 women who had VUDS, 28 had a 'normal' test, 30 had increased bladder sensation (IBS), and 30 had detrusor overactivity (DO). The mean DWT at 250-300 mL among three symptomatic subgroups or urodynamic subgroups showed no significant difference by either catheter- or natural-filling methods. The women with wet OAB had significantly greater DWTs than the controls at maximal bladder volume. The maximal bladder capacity was significantly greater in 'normal' women than in those with OAB. If we corrected maximal bladder volume to 250 mL, DWT at corrected 250 mL showed no significant difference among three symptomatic subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: DWT measured by TAUS in women with OAB and without OAB was not different and did not differ with urodynamic status. Thus, TAUS measurement of DWT is not recommended as a useful diagnostic test for DO in women with OAB.

Comparison of fesoterodine and tolterodine extended release for the treatment of overactive bladder: a head-to-head placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of fesoterodine 8 mg with tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4 mg and placebo in a randomized clinical trial of patients with an overactive bladder (OAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this 12-week double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, eligible patients reported OAB symptoms for > or = 3 months and recorded > or = 8 voids and > or = 1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episode per 24 h in 3-day bladder diaries at baseline. Patients were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to fesoterodine (4 mg for 1 week then 8 mg for 11 weeks); tolterodine ER 4 mg; or placebo (with sham dose escalation for tolterodine ER and placebo). Endpoints were changes from baseline to week 12 in UUI episodes (primary endpoint), total and nocturnal voids, urgency episodes, severe urgency episodes, and frequency-urgency sum per 24 h; mean voided volume per void (MVV); and the OAB questionnaire (OAB-q), Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), and Urgency Perception Scale (UPS). Safety and tolerability were assessed and summarized over the 12-week study period. RESULTS: Fesoterodine (636 patients) significantly improved UUI episodes at week 12 (primary endpoint) compared with tolterodine ER (641 patients; P = 0.017) and placebo (313 patients; P < 0.001). Fesoterodine also produced significantly greater improvements than tolterodine ER in MVV (P = 0.005). Fesoterodine significantly improved all diary endpoints compared with placebo (P < 0.001), except for nocturnal voids (P = 0.327). Tolterodine ER significantly improved all diary endpoints vs placebo (P < 0.001), except for nocturnal voids (P = 0.506) and MVV (P = 0.103). Diary dry rates (the proportion of patients reporting no UUI episodes at endpoint among those with one or more UUI episodes at baseline) were significantly higher with fesoterodine (64%) than with tolterodine ER (57%; P = 0.015) and placebo (45%; P < 0.001). Improvements in PPBC, UPS and OAB-q scale and domain scores at week 12 were all significantly better with fesoterodine than placebo (all P < 0.001) and tolterodine ER (all P < 0.05) except for the OAB-q Sleep domain vs tolterodine ER (P = 0.081). Dry mouth and constipation rates were 28% and 5% in the fesoterodine group, 16% and 4% in the tolterodine ER group, and 6% and 3% with placebo, respectively. Discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events were 6%, 4% and 2% in the fesoterodine, tolterodine ER, and placebo groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with OAB, fesoterodine 8 mg showed superior efficacy over tolterodine ER 4 mg and placebo in reducing UUI episodes (primary endpoint) and in improving most patient-reported outcome measures. Both active treatments were well tolerated.

Modeling dose-response relationships of the effects of fesoterodine in patients with overactive bladder.

BACKGROUND: Fesoterodine is an antimuscarinic for the treatment of overactive bladder, a syndrome of urgency, with or without urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia. Our objective was to develop predictive models to describe the dose response of fesoterodine. METHODS: Data from subjects enrolled in double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II and III trials were used for developing longitudinal dose-response models. RESULTS: The models predicted that clinically significant and near-maximum treatment effects would be seen within 3 to 4 weeks after treatment initiation. For a typical patient with 11 micturitions per 24 hours at baseline, predicted change was -1.2, -1.7, and -2.2 micturitions for placebo and fesoterodine 4 mg and 8 mg, respectively. For a typical patient with 2 UUI episodes per 24 hours at baseline, predicted change was -1.05, -1.26, and -1.43 UUI episodes for placebo and fesoterodine 4 mg and 8 mg, respectively. Increase in mean voided volume was estimated at 9.7 mL for placebo, with an additional 14.2 mL and 28.4 mL for fesoterodine 4 mg and 8 mg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A consistent dose response for fesoterodine was demonstrated for bladder diary endpoints in subjects with overactive bladder, a result that supports the greater efficacy seen with fesoterodine 8 mg in post hoc analyses of clinical trial data. The dose-response models can be used to predict outcomes for doses not studied or for patient subgroups underrepresented in clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The phase III trials used in this analysis have been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00220363 and NCT00138723).

Effects of combined behavioral intervention and tolterodine on patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of tolterodine extended release (ER) plus behavioral intervention on urgency and other patient-reported outcomes in subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) who were previously dissatisfied with antimuscarinic treatment. METHODS: In this 16-week, multicenter, open-label study, eligible adults (aged > or = 18 y) reported dissatisfaction with their most recent antimuscarinic OAB medication; > or = 8 micturitions and > or = 2 urgency episodes per 24 hours and > or = 1 UUI episode in 5 day bladder diaries; and OAB symptoms for > or = 3 months. Subjects received tolterodine ER plus a behavioral educational handout with verbal reinforcement of behavioral intervention content for 8 weeks. Those satisfied with treatment at week 8 continued with this therapy; those dissatisfied received tolterodine ER plus individualized behavioral intervention (pelvic floor muscle training, tailored behavioral techniques) for 8 weeks. Endpoints were changes from baseline in daytime and nocturnal micturition-related urgency episodes and frequency-urgency sum (a measure of urgency severity and frequency) reported in 5 day bladder diaries at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16; Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), and Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) scores at weeks 8 and 16. RESULTS: Daytime and nocturnal urgency episodes and frequency-urgency sum were significantly reduced at all time points (all p < 0.0001). Significant improvements were also observed in PPBC, OAB-q Symptom Bother and Health-Related Quality of Life, and UPS scores at weeks 8 and 16 (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OAB who are dissatisfied with antimuscarinic therapy may experience improved treatment outcomes by adding a self-administered behavioral intervention to their drug regimen.

Combined effects of behavioral intervention and tolterodine in patients dissatisfied with overactive bladder medication.

PURPOSE: We assessed the effect of tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention on treatment satisfaction and bladder diary variables in patients with overactive bladder who had been previously treated and were dissatisfied with tolterodine or other antimuscarinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This 16-week, multicenter, open label study included eligible patients 18 years old or older who reported overactive bladder symptoms 3 months or greater in duration, 8 or greater micturitions and 2 or greater urgency related micturitions per 24 hours, and 1 or greater urgency urinary incontinence episodes in a 5-day bladder diary at baseline as well as dissatisfaction with prior antimuscarinic medication. Patients received tolterodine extended release plus self-administered behavioral intervention, consisting of an educational pamphlet with verbal reinforcement, for 8 weeks. Satisfied patients continued with this therapy and dissatisfied patients received tolterodine extended release plus individualized behavioral intervention, consisting of in-depth interaction with a clinician to refine behavioral techniques, for 8 weeks thereafter. Patients rated treatment satisfaction at weeks 8 and 16, and completed a 5-day bladder diary at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16, respectively. RESULTS: At weeks 8 and 16, 346 and 357 patients or 91% of the total cohort reported being at least a little satisfied with tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention, including 201 (53%) and 252 (64%), respectively, who were very satisfied. Of the 33 patients who were dissatisfied at week 8, 25 (76%) reported treatment satisfaction at week 16 after individualized behavioral intervention. Compared with baseline all bladder diary variables were significantly improved by week 4 (p <0.0001). Patients who were dissatisfied with prior tolterodine or other antimuscarinic treatment reported similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention resulted in high treatment satisfaction and improved bladder diary variables in patients who had previously been treated and were dissatisfied with tolterodine or other antimuscarinics.

Effect of tolterodine extended release with or without tamsulosin on measures of urgency and patient reported outcomes in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy of tolterodine extended release and/or tamsulosin on micturition related urgency episodes, urgency severity and patient reported outcomes in men who met entry criteria for prostatic enlargement and overactive bladder trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men 40 years old or older with an International Prostate Symptom Score of 12 or greater, frequency (8 or more voids per 24 hours) and urgency (3 or more episodes per 24 hours) with or without urgency urinary incontinence were randomized to placebo, 4 mg tolterodine extended release, 0.4 mg tamsulosin or tolterodine extended release plus tamsulosin for 12 weeks. Subjects completed 5-day diaries; the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition and Urgency Perception Scale at baseline, and weeks 1, 6 and 12; Overactive Bladder Questionnaire at baseline, and weeks 6 and 12; Perception of Treatment Satisfaction question at weeks 1, 6 and 12; and Willingness to Continue question at week 12. Subjects rated the urgency associated with each micturition on a 5-point scale and micturition related urgency episodes were those rated 3 or greater. Urgency severity was measured using frequency-urgency sum, defined as the sum of urgency ratings for all micturitions. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, tolterodine extended release plus tamsulosin significantly reduced daytime and nocturnal micturition related urgency episodes as well as frequency-urgency sum at weeks 1, 6 and 12. It also improved Patient Perception of Bladder Condition scores at weeks 1, 6 and 12; improved Urgency Perception Scale and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, Symptom Bother and Health Related Quality of Life scores at weeks 6 and 12; and increased the percentage of subjects who reported treatment satisfaction at weeks 6 and 12, and willingness to continue at week 12. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with tolterodine extended release plus tamsulosin significantly improved urgency variables and patient reported outcomes in men meeting entry criteria for overactive bladder and prostatic enlargement trials.

Extended-release tolterodine with or without tamsulosin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder: effects on urinary symptoms assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tolterodine extended-release (ER) plus tamsulosin on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as assessed by changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in men who met symptom entry criteria for both overactive bladder (OAB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men aged > or =40 years with an IPSS of > or =12 and diary-documented OAB symptoms (> or =8 voids/24 h and > or =3 urgency episodes/24 h, with or without urgency urinary incontinence) who reported at least moderate problems related to their bladder condition were randomized to receive placebo, tolterodine ER (4 mg), tamsulosin (0.4 mg), or tolterodine ER (4 mg) + tamsulosin (0.4 mg) once daily for 12 weeks. Patients completed the IPSS at baseline and at 1, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Patients receiving tolterodine ER + tamsulosin had significantly greater improvements than those taking placebo on IPSS storage subscale scores and scores for all three individual storage items included on the IPSS (urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturnal micturitions) by 12 weeks. Storage subscale and urgency scores were significantly improved vs placebo at 1 and 6 weeks, whereas frequency scores were significantly improved at 6 weeks. Changes in IPSS storage subscale and individual storage item scores in the tolterodine ER and tamsulosin monotherapy groups were not significantly different from placebo at most time points. IPSS voiding subscale scores and scores for three of four individual voiding items (sensation of incomplete emptying, intermittency, and weak stream) were significantly improved by 12 weeks for patients receiving tamsulosin monotherapy vs placebo. Voiding subscale and intermittency scores were significantly improved vs placebo at 1 week; weak stream scores were significantly improved at 1 and 6 weeks. The IPSS voiding subscale and individual voiding item scores in the tolterodine ER + tamsulosin and tolterodine ER groups were not significantly different from placebo at most time points. CONCLUSIONS: In this distinct clinical research population of men who met traditional symptom entry criteria for both OAB and BPH trials, tolterodine ER + tamsulosin was significantly more effective than placebo in treating storage LUTS, including OAB symptoms. Tamsulosin monotherapy produced significant improvements in voiding LUTS.

Tolterodine and tamsulosin for treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms and overactive bladder: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Men with overactive bladder and other lower urinary tract symptoms may not respond to monotherapy with antimuscarinic agents or alpha-receptor antagonists. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolterodine extended release (ER), tamsulosin, or both in men who met research criteria for both overactive bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 95 urology clinics in the United States involving men 40 years or older who had a total International Prostate Symptom Score of 12 or higher and, an International Prostate Symptom Score quality-of-life (QOL) item score of 3 or higher, a self-rated bladder condition of at least moderate bother, and a bladder diary documenting micturition frequency (>or=8 micturitions per 24 hours) and urgency (>or=3 episodes per 24 hours), with or without urgency urinary incontinence. Patients were recruited between November 2004 and February 2006, and the study was completed May 2006. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 222), 4 mg of tolterodine ER (n = 217), 0.4 mg of tamsulosin (n = 215), or both tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin (n = 225) for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient perception of treatment benefit, bladder diary variables, International Prostate Symptom Scores, and safety and tolerability were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 172 men (80%) receiving tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin reported treatment benefit by week 12 compared with 132 patients (62%) receiving placebo (P<.001), 146 (71%) receiving tamsulosin (P=.06 vs placebo), or 135 (65%) receiving tolterodine ER (P=.48 vs placebo). Patients receiving tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin compared with placebo experienced significant reductions in urgency urinary incontinence (-0.88 vs -0.31, P=.005), urgency episodes without incontinence (-3.33 vs -2.54, P=.03), micturitions per 24 hours (-2.54 vs -1.41, P<.001), and micturitions per night (-0.59 vs -0.39, P.02). Patients receiving tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin demonstrated significant improvements on the total International Prostate Symptom Score (-8.02 vs placebo, -6.19, P=.003) and QOL item (-1.61 vs -1.17, P=.003). All interventions were well tolerated. The incidence of acute urinary retention requiring catheterization was low (tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin, 0.4%; tolterodine ER, 0.5%; tamsulosin, 0%; and placebo, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that treatment with tolterodine ER plus tamsulosin for 12 weeks provides benefit for men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms including overactive bladder. Clinical Trials Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00147654.

Long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of fesoterodine in subjects with overactive bladder symptoms stratified by age: pooled analysis of two open-label extension studies.

BACKGROUND: Previous work has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of fesoterodine in older and younger subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. The effect of long-term fesoterodine treatment in different age groups has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the impact of age on the safety, tolerability and efficacy of long-term treatment with fesoterodine 8 mg in subjects with OAB syndrome. METHODS: This was a pooled analysis of two identically designed open-label extensions of 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. The setting was urology and general practice offices. Subjects who participated in the 12-week, double-blind studies and opted to continue long-term, open-label treatment with fesoterodine were included. Subjects were initiated on fesoterodine 8 mg/day at open-label baseline. After 1 month, subjects could elect dose reduction to 4 mg/day and subsequent re-escalation to 8 mg; each was permitted once annually. Maximal duration of open-label treatment ranged from 24 to 36 months. Discontinuations, subject-reported treatment tolerance, and efficacy (3-day diaries) were assessed at open-label baseline and months 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24. RESULTS: A total of 890 subjects were treated (age <45 years, n = 140; 45-64 years, n = 444; 65-74 years, n = 208; ≥75 years, n = 98); 49% continued treatment for ≥ 24 months (age <45 years, 43%; 45-64 years, 54%; 65-74 years, 50%; ≥75 years, 37%). Seventy-seven percent of subjects remained on fesoterodine 8 mg throughout treatment; this rate was highest among subjects aged ≥75 years (age <45 years, 72%; 45-64 years, 77%; 65-74 years, 73%; ≥75 years, 87%). Approximately 80% of continuing subjects were receiving fesoterodine 8 mg at each visit after open-label baseline up to 36 months. No new or unexpected safety signals were observed in any age group. Most subjects reported 'good' or 'excellent' treatment tolerance throughout the study (age <45 years, ≥90%; 45-64 years, ≥93%; 65-74 years, ≥85%; ≥75 years, ≥86%). Dry mouth, the most commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse event, was lowest among subjects aged ≥75 years (age <45 years, 31%; 45-64 years, 30%; 65-74 years, 32%; ≥75 years, 26%). Rates of discontinuation due to dry mouth were low in all age groups. Significant improvements in all diary variables, including urgency urinary incontinence episodes per 24 hours, micturitions per 24 hours, urgency episodes per 24 hours, and mean voided volume per micturition, observed between double-blind baseline and open-label baseline were sustained or increased during open-label treatment in the overall population and all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term fesoterodine (administered primarily as 8 mg) was well tolerated and associated with sustained improvements in OAB symptoms, irrespective of age.

Promise of Urinary Nerve Growth Factor for Assessment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is highly prevalent bladder disorder in men and women. About 10-15% of the population suffers from urgency frequency with or without urgency urinary incontinence. It is estimated that 50-75% of patients with OAB may have urodynamic detrusor overactivity (DO). Urodynamic study invasive and most of the OAB patients might not accept it as a routine assessment. Therefore, a more objective and non-invasive test for diagnosis and assessing DO from OAB patients is needed. Recently, urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) has gained great interest in detecting DO in patients with OAB. Urinary NGF level was found to increase in OAB and urodynamic DO. Urinary NGF levels correlated with severity of OAB symptoms. Patients with either idiopathic or neurogenic DO may have increased urinary NGF levels. Urinary NGF levels have been shown to decrease in patients with patients with OAB and DO who have been well treated with antimuscarinics or botulinum toxin injection, but not in those with persistent OAB after treatment. Not all patients with OAB can have an elevated urinary NGF level; it may also be increased in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and other lower urinary tract diseases, suggesting urinary NGF expression could be a product of bladder inflammation and a limited specificity of urinary NGF for diagnosing DO. The source of urinary NGF has not yet been fully explored yet. Nevertheless, urinary NGF level is likely to be a promising biomarker for diagnosis of DO from OAB patients, to monitor therapeutic outcome and predict disease progression.

Effect of fesoterodine 4 mg on bladder diary and patient-reported outcomes during the first week of treatment in subjects with overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the onset of efficacy of fesoterodine 4 mg versus placebo in subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects who reported OAB symptoms for ≥ 3 months and recorded ≥ 8 micturitions and ≥ 1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episode per 24 hours in 3-day baseline diaries were randomized to fesoterodine 4 mg, tolterodine extended release (ER) 4 mg, or placebo. This is an analysis of first week data from a 12-week, double-blind trial. ClinicalTrials.gov unique ID: NCT00444925. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline to week 1 changes in 3-day bladder diary variables, Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), and Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) scores reported by subjects receiving fesoterodine 4 mg or placebo. RESULTS: By week 1, fesoterodine 4 mg (n = 679) was associated with significantly greater improvements compared with placebo (n = 334) in micturitions, urgency, severe urgency and UUI episodes, frequency-urgency sum, and MVV per 24 hours and 3-day diary-dry rate (all p < 0.05), but not nocturnal micturitions per 24 hours (p = 0.273). These differences were significant as early as day 5 of treatment (i.e., day 1 of the 3-day diary) for all diary endpoints except nocturnal micturitions and MVV. Changes in PPBC scores were significantly more favorable with fesoterodine 4 mg versus placebo (p = 0.0143); changes in UPS scores were not significantly different (p = 0.077). CONCLUSION: The results provide evidence that patients receiving fesoterodine 4 mg for their OAB symptoms may expect to experience a response as early as 1 week after initiating treatment. One limitation is that, although 65% of subjects had received treatment with antimuscarinics before the study, whether subjects were dissatisfied with previous treatment and reasons for dissatisfaction were not collected. This might affect the magnitude of outcome improvements. Also, it is not known whether the UPS is sensitive enough to detect treatment differences as early as week 1.

Dynamic progression of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence symptoms: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence (UI) are worldwide public health problems. Longitudinal epidemiologic studies that assess the natural history of OAB and UI are valuable in making accurate prognoses, determining causes and consequences, and predicting resource utilization. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess whether the severity of OAB and UI symptoms progress dynamically over time, with the secondary aim of assessing factors that may be associated with symptom progression and regression. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of English articles published between January 1, 1990, and September 20, 2009, was conducted using PubMed and Embase. Search terms included longitudinal, natural history, overactive bladder, incontinence, progression, remission, and regression. Eligibility was assessed by Dr. Irwin with editorial assistance. Studies were required to be longitudinal and population based; meeting abstracts and conference proceedings were excluded. Results were assessed qualitatively. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Overall, the 7 longitudinal studies of OAB and 14 longitudinal studies of UI reviewed reported an increase in the incidence and remission/regression of both OAB and UI symptoms over time that varied across studies (eg, OAB incidence, 3.7-8.8%; UI incidence, 0.8-19%). The studies provide evidence for a dynamic progression of OAB and UI symptoms (eg, among women with OAB without urge urinary incontinence [UUI], 28% reported OAB with UUI 16 yr later) and also show that although symptom severity progresses dynamically, for many individuals symptoms also persist over long time periods. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that OAB and UI symptom severity progress dynamically and are also sustained over time. However, the variations in symptom definitions and methods used across studies prevent statistical determinations of overall incidence rates. The recognition of OAB and UI as progressive conditions allows for a shift from the current treatment paradigm of symptom control alone to one of symptom management.