The relationship between BMI and urinary incontinence subgroups: results from EpiLUTS.

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and urinary incontinence (UI) in adults ≥40 from the United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of EpiLUTS-a population-representative, cross-sectional, Internet-based survey conducted to assess the prevalence and HRQL impact of urinary symptoms. UI was evaluated by the LUTS Tool and categorized by subgroups: no UI, urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) (UUI + SUI), UUI + other UI (OI), SUI + OI, and OI. Descriptive statistics were used. Logistic regressions examined the relationship of BMI to UI controlling for demographics and comorbid conditions. RESULTS: Response rate was 59%; 10,070 men and 13,178 women were included. Significant differences in BMI were found across UI subgroups. Obesity rates were highest among those with MUI (men and women), SUI + OI (women), UUI and UUI + OI (men). Logistic regressions of each UI subgroup showed that BMI ≥ 30 (obese) was associated with UI in general and MUI (women) and UUI + OI (men). Among women, being obese increased the odds of having SUI and SUI + OI. Women with BMI 25-29.9 (overweight) were more likely to have UI in general and SUI with and without other incontinence (SUI, MUI, and SUI + OI). Being overweight was unrelated to any form of UI in men. CONCLUSIONS: Results were consistent with prior research showing BMI is associated with higher risk of UI. These findings indicate substantial differences in obesity by gender and UI subtype, suggesting different mechanisms for UI other than purely mechanical stress on the bladder.

Long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of flexible-dose fesoterodine in elderly patients with overactive bladder: open-label extension of the SOFIA trial.

AIMS: To assess the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of flexible-dose fesoterodine in elderly patients with OAB. METHODS: Patients aged ≥65 years who completed a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were eligible for the 12-week, open-label (OL) extension phase. Patients who received double-blind placebo started on fesoterodine 4 mg and could increase to 8 mg after 4 or 8 weeks of OL treatment, while fesoterodine-treated patients continued on their double-blind dose; only one dose escalation or de-escalation was permitted. Discontinuations and adverse events (AEs) were monitored, and patients completed 3-day bladder diaries and patient-reported outcomes at the beginning and end of the 12-week OL phase. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-four patients entered the 12-week OL extension (mean age 72 years; 52% women). AEs were reported by 30.7% and 48.1% of patients who had received double-blind fesoterodine and placebo, respectively; 1.9% and 9.4%, discontinued due to AEs, respectively. Patients who received double-blind fesoterodine maintained their efficacy response. After 12 weeks of OL treatment, efficacy outcomes in patients who received double-blind placebo were similar to those who had received double-blind fesoterodine. On average, the efficacy response was maintained for the duration of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Fesoterodine was well tolerated and improvements in OAB symptoms and quality of life measures were not diminished with longer-term treatment of patients aged ≥65 years.

The effects of antimuscarinic treatments in overactive bladder: an update of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Antimuscarinic agents are currently the first-line pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder. OBJECTIVES: A systematic review published in 2005 was updated, including data on a newly licensed antimuscarinic (fesoterodine). The primary aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the efficacy of licensed administration of antimuscarinic treatments in overactive bladder from randomised controlled trials. Secondary aims were to review evidence on tolerability and safety and health-related quality of life (HRQL). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: All relevant data sources from randomised controlled trials were searched, and two independent reviewers considered publications for inclusion and extracted relevant data. Meta-analysis was used to pool efficacy, tolerability, safety, and HRQL outcomes by treatment. Efficacy was measured by continent days, mean voided volume, urgency episodes, and micturition frequency. Tolerability and safety were measured by means of adverse event and withdrawal rates. HRQL was measured by various instruments. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: An additional 1118 references were retrieved with data on 83 studies extracted. Antimuscarinics were found to be more effective than placebo. Tolerability was good; few of the antimuscarinics were found to have significantly higher withdrawal rates in comparison to placebo. No serious adverse event for any product was statistically significant compared to placebo. Dry mouth (mild, moderate, severe) was the most commonly reported adverse event (29.6% on treatment vs 7.9% on placebo), followed by pruritus (15.4% on treatment vs 5.2% on placebo). Improvements were seen in HRQL with treatment by darifenacin, fesoterodine, oxybutynin transdermal delivery system, propiverine extended release (ER), solifenacin, tolterodine ER and immediate release, and trospium. Limitations of the study include restrictions on the types of patients typically included in overactive bladder trials and topics that have not been adequately addressed in the current antimuscarinic literature. CONCLUSIONS: Antimuscarinics are efficacious, safe, and well-tolerated treatments that improve HRQL. Profiles of each drug and dosage differ and should be considered in making treatment choices.