Comparative assessment of efficacy and safety of approved oral therapies for overactive bladder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

bladder based on a systematic review and network meta-analysis approach. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials databases were systematically searched. The search time frame was from database creation to June 2, 2022. Randomized controlled double-blind trials of oral medication for overactive bladder were screened against the protocol's entry criteria. Trials were evaluated for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, and data were statistically analyzed using Stata 16.0 software. RESULT: A total of 60 randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials were included involving 50,333 subjects. Solifenacin 10mg was the most effective in mean daily micturitions and incontinence episodes, solifenacin 5/10mg in mean daily urinary urgency episodes and nocturia episodes, fesoterodine 8mg in urgency incontinence episodes/d and oxybutynin 5mg in voided volume/micturition. In terms of safety, solifenacin 5mg, ER-tolterodine 4mg, mirabegron, vibegron and ER-oxybutynin 10mg all showed a better incidence of dry mouth, fesoterodine 4mg, ER-oxybutynin 10mg, tolterodine 2mg, and vibegron in the incidence of constipation. Compared to placebo, imidafenacin 0.1mg showed a significantly increased incidence in hypertension, solifenacin 10mg in urinary tract infection, fesoterodine 4/8mg and darifenacin 15mg in headache. CONCLUSION: Solifenacin showed better efficacy. For safety, most anticholinergic drugs were more likely to cause dry mouth and constipation, lower doses were better tolerated. The choice of drugs should be tailored to the patient's specific situation to find the best balance between efficacy and safety.

[Assessment of prescribing practices in overactive bladder pharmacotherapy across different specialties of India: a prescription trend analysis].

PURPOSE: To assess the prescribing practices for overactive bladder (OAB) pharmacotherapy based on the prescription trend analysis across different specialties of India. METHOD: s: IQVIA (Quintiles and IMS Health) secondary sales audit (SSA), as well as a prescription audit for antimuscarinics and beta-3 adrenoceptor agonists (mirabegron) from 2014 to 2021, were analyzed. The data includes SSA data of various antimuscarinics like solifenacin, oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin, trospium and mirabegron change in the prescription trend of antimuscarinics and mirabegron across different specialties; prescribers overlap analysis for solifenacin and mirabegron among Indian urologists were also analyzed. RESULTS: Urologists prescription rates of OAB drugs were 65% in 2016 and 54% in 2021. The rate of OAB medication prescription by non-urologist was highest from the surgeon (11%), followed by gynecologists (9%) and consultant physicians (8%) in 2021. In addition, among OAB medication prescription rates for antimuscarinics were 100% in 2016 and 58% in 2021 whereas for mirabegron, it was 0% in 2016 and 42% in 2021. Solifenacin was most frequently prescribed anticholinergics, followed by oxybutynin, tolterodine, darifenacin, and trospium. The proportion of prescribers of OAB medication among urologists was 38% in 2016 and 33% in 2021. Exclusive prescribers of solifenacin were 748 in 2018 and 739 in 2021 at the urologist, whereas for mirabegron, it was 961 in 2018 and 934 in 2021. The compound annual growth rate for prescription of the last 6 years (from 2016-2021) for solifenacin and mirabegron was -3% and 8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Urology remained a top prescribing specialty for OAB drugs, although prescription share increased at surgeon and consultant physician. OAB medicines prescriptions by urologists are shifting from leading antimuscarinic solifenacin to beta-agonist mirabegron. Data from this study will ultimately lead to the OAB medication preference by the specialist that could lead to more advanced OAB management.

Eficácia E Custo-Utilidade De Intervenções Para O Tratamento Da Enurese Em Crianças E Adolescentes Sob A Perspectiva Do Sistema Único De Saúde Brasileiro: Effectiveness and Cost-Utility of Interventions for Enuresis Treatment in Children and Adolescents From the Brazilian Single Health System Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the cost-utility of effective interventions for enuresis treatment in children and adolescents and to calculate the incremental cost-utility ratio from the perspective of the Brazilian Unified Health System in a 1-year time horizon. METHODS: The economic analysis is in 7 stages: (1) survey of evidence of treatments for enuresis, (2) performing the network meta-analysis, (3) estimation of the probability of cure, (4) cost-utility analysis, (5) model sensitivity analysis, (6) analysis of acceptability of interventions by acceptability curve, and (7) monitoring the technological horizon. RESULTS: The association between desmopressin and oxybutynin is the therapeutic strategy with the highest probability of success in the treatment of enuresis in children and adolescents compared with placebo (relative risk [RR] 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65-5.04), followed by the combination therapy between desmopressin and tolterodine (RR 2.13; 95% CI 1.13-4.02), alarm (RR 1.59; 95% CI 1.14-2.23), and neurostimulation (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.04-1.96). Combination therapy between desmopressin and tolterodine was the only 1 considered not to be cost-effective. Neurostimulation, alarm therapy, and therapy had the respective incremental cost-utility ratio values: R$5931.68, R$7982.92, and R$29 050.56/quality-adjusted life-years. CONCLUSION: Among the therapies that are on the borderline of efficiency, the combined therapy between desmopressin and oxybutynin presents the greatest incremental benefit at an incremental cost that is still feasible, given that it does not exceed the reference value of the cost-effectiveness threshold established in Brazil.

Cost-effectiveness evaluation of mirabegron versus anti-muscarinics and third-line therapies: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is defined as urinary urgency, usually with urinary frequency and nocturia. . The current treatment for OAB includes conservative management, surgery, and pharmacotherapy. Mirabegron is a new drug acting by the ß3-adrenoceptor agonism. This study aimed to review the cost-effectiveness of mirabegron in the treatment of OAB. AREAS COVERED: We searched published articles in electronic search databases. Ten studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Various antimuscarinics, including oxybutynin, fesoterodine, tolterodine, darifenacin, and trospium were compared with mirabegron. The results were evaluated and compared according to the quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), cost/year, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Of the ten studies in only three, mirabegron was not a cost-effective strategy. In seven cases, mirabegron was cost-effective. EXPERT OPINION: The cost-effectiveness of mirabegron was variable in different regions; however, most of the studies show the cost-effectiveness of mirabegron. Our study illustrates that mirabegron's ICER in comparison with its comparators is below the willingness to pay threshold even in the countries with low GDP/Capita. Our proposal for future economic studies for OAB pharmacotherapy is to compare different doses, formulations, and administration forms in a real-world context.

Antimuscarinic use among older adults with dementia and overactive bladder: a Medicare beneficiaries study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the incidence and predictors of antimuscarinic medication use including non-selective antimuscarinics among older adults with dementia and overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The study used a new-user cohort design involving older adults (≥65 years) with dementia and OAB based on 2013-2015 Medicare data. Antimuscarinics included non-selective (oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium, fesoterodine) and selective (solifenacin, darifenacin) medications. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the incidence and predictors of new antimuscarinic use including non-selective antimuscarinics, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 3.38 million Medicare beneficiaries with dementia, over one million (1.05) had OAB (31.03%). Of those, 287,612 (27.39%) were reported as prevalent antimuscarinics users. After applying continuous eligibility criteria, 21,848 (10.34%) incident antimuscarinic users were identified (77.6% non-selective; 22.4% selective). Most frequently reported antimuscarinics were oxybutynin (56.3%) and solifenacin (21.4%). Multivariable analysis revealed that patients ≥75 years, of black race, and those with schizophrenia, epilepsy, delirium, and Elixhauser's score were less likely to initiate antimuscarinics. Women, those with abnormal involuntary movements, bipolar disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle spasm/low back pain, neuropathic pain, benign prostatic hyperplasia, falls/fractures, myasthenia gravis, narrow-angle glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, syncope, urinary tract infection and vulvovaginitis were more likely to initiate antimuscarinics. Further, patients with muscle spasms/low back pain, benign prostatic hyperplasia and those taking higher level anticholinergics had lower odds of receiving non-selective antimuscarinics, whereas white patients, black patients and those with schizophrenia and delirium were more likely to receive them. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of dementia patients had OAB and over one-fourth of them used antimuscarinics. Majority of the incident users were prescribed non-selective antimuscarinics with several demographic and clinical factors contributing to their use. Given the high prevalence of OAB among dementia patients, there is a need to optimize their antimuscarinic use, considering their vulnerability for anticholinergic adverse effects.

Antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para o tratamento da disfunção de armazenamento em pacientes com bexiga neurogênica / Antimuscarinics (oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin and darifenacin) for the treatment of storage dysfunction in patients with neurogenic bladder

INTRODUÇÃO: A bexiga neurogênica é um termo aplicado ao mau funcionamento da bexiga urinária e do esfíncter urinário, devido à disfunção neurológica que resulta de trauma, doença ou lesão interna ou externa. Alguns pacientes com disfunção neurogênica do trato urinário inferior apresentam sintomas que se relacionam com o armazenamento prejudicado de urina, como o aumento da frequência de micção, urgência urinária e incontinência urinária. PERGUNTA: Qual a eficácia e a segurança da oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina para disfunção de armazenamento em pacientes adultos com bexiga neurogênica? TECNOLOGIAS: Antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolderodina, solifenacina e darifenacina). EVIDÊNCIAS CIENTÍFICAS: Para a pergunta sobre a eficácia e segurança dos antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) foram recuperadas 868 referências por meio das estratégias de busca, das quais cinco foram incluídos, sendo todos ECR. Os principais desfechos de eficácia avaliados pelos estudos incluídos foram: capacidade máxima da bexiga, número de episódios de incontinência diária, número de cateterizações diárias, Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QoL) e escore Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC). Além dos desfechos de eficácia, foram avaliados os eventos adversos. Um estudo evidenciou que a oxibutina intravesical promoveu maior ganho em volume cistométrico que a oxibutinina oral (aumento médio (DP) de 116,6 (27,5) e 18,1 (27,5) mL, respectivamente para oxibutinina vesical e oral ­ p = 0,009). Ademais, um outro estudo evidenciou que a solifenacina, nas dosagens de 5 e 10 mg, e a oxibutinina, na dose de 15 mg, proporcionaram aumento significativo no volume cistométrico em relação ao placebo (aumento médio (DP) de 77,8 (115,4) mL, 134,2 (124,7) mL, e 134,2 (124,7) mL, respectivamente para solifenacina 5 mg, solifenacina 10 mg e oxibutinina de 15 mg ­ p<0,01 para todas as comparações versus placebo). Dois estudos compararam a tolterodina versus placebo, para o desfecho volume cistométrico. Um dos estudos não exibiu diferença entre os grupos. O outro mostrou efeito dose resposta para a tolterodina, sendo a dose de 4 mg a mais eficaz em relação ao placebo (p=0,009). Para o desfecho número de episódios de incontinência/dia, após quatro semanas, a oxibutinina 15 mg apresentou uma redução média (DP) de ­2,71 (2,84) episódios de incontinência/dia, enquanto o grupo que recebeu solifenacina 10 mg apresentou redução de ­0,57 (2,29) episódios de IU/dia (p<0,01), após quatro semanas. Outro estudo, que comparou a oxibutinina à tolterodina, ambas em dose personalizada (média de 8,4 mg/dia para tolterodina e 12,5 mg/dia para a oxibutinina), não mostrou diferença significante entre as terapias, para qualquer um dos desfechos de eficácia avaliados. O desfecho primário de qualidade de vida (I-QoL), apenas apresentou resultados de comparação para a oxibutinina, quando em formulação vesical versus oral. Nesse caso, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,730). Para além dessa comparação, os desfechos de qualidade de vida (I-QoL) e funcionalidade (PPBC), não apresentaram resultados de comparação para qualquer outro estudo avaliado. Ademais, mesmo para o desfecho de redução de episódios de IU, existe dúvida em relação à significância clínica do resultado, haja vista que a redução média de episódios foi < 2 para a maioria dos estudos, diante de um cenário basal de 2-5 episódios/dia. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi baixa e não existem comparações diretas que englobem os quatro antimuscarínicos considerados (darifenacina, oxibutinina, tolterodina e solifenacina). AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: Os estudos avaliados neste relatório não incluíram a análise da darifenacina. Além disso, não existe um estudo que avalie os antimuscarínicos versus um comparador em comum e, mesmo que fosse estabelecida a comparação indireta entre eles, o desfecho primordial, que avalia a qualidade de vida, não está presente em todos os estudos incluídos. O estudo que permitiria o maior número de comparações seria o de Amarenco et al. 2015, pois incluiu a solifenacina em 5 e 10 mg, além da oxibutinina e o placebo. No entanto, o estudo não forneceu o valor da diferença entre os braços, quanto ao ganho em qualidade de vida (I-QoL), entre início e fim do estudo. Realizamos os testes estatísticos para essa diferença não relatada e vimos que todas, sem exceção, foram não significativas. Sendo assim, devido ao alto risco de viés do estudo de Amarenco et al. 2015, à falta de estudos que avaliassem a darifenacina e à ausência do desfecho I-QoL em alguns estudos, não seria plausível realizar uma análise econômica utilizando desfechos substitutos ou não significativos (estatística e clinicamente). AVALIAÇÃO DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: A análise de impacto orçamentário adotou a perspectiva do SUS e um horizonte temporal de cinco anos (2020-2024). O custo dos tratamentos medicamentosos limitou-se ao valor de aquisição dos medicamentos, (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina, darifenacina e mirabegrona) obtidos do Banco de Preços em Saúde. Dada a ausência de dados específicos para indivíduos com bexiga neurogênica, foram consideradas as quatro principais causas de bexiga neurogênica: doença de Parkinson (DP), esclerose múltipla (EM), acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e danos na coluna vertebral (DCV). As porcentagens de uso dos agentes antimuscarínicos foram obtidas de uma publicação do Sistema de Saúde Inglês (NHS). Com isso, a estimativa de impacto orçamentário neste cenário decorrente da incorporação dos antimuscarínicos e mirabegrona seria de R$ 2.095.249.966,02 bilhões no primeiro ano de incorporação. Após cinco anos de incorporação esse valor seria de R$ 10.679.375.762,42 bilhões de reais. Cenários alternativos foram elaborados, considerando a incorporação de apenas um dos medicamentos. Nestes cenários as estimativas de impacto orçamentário, decorrentes da incorporação de cada um dos antimuscarínicos e mirabegrona, após cinco anos de incorporação, variaram de R$ 3.486.573.869,54 a R$ 20.415.826.991,67 bilhões de reais, sendo a oxibutinina e a tolterodina, respectivamente, os cenários de menor e maior custo. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: foram realizadas buscas no ClinicalTrials.gov e Cortellis™, a fim de localizar potenciais medicamentos para o tratamento de pacientes adultos com bexiga neurogênica. Não foram encontrados medicamentos nas fases de desenvolvimento clínico, contudo foi detectado a fesoterodina em estudo para pacientes pediátricos com incontinência urinária de causa neurológica. CONSIDERAÇÕES GERAIS: Os antimuscarínicos disponíveis atualmente no Brasil são: oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina. No entanto, há pouca evidência científica sobre a eficácia e segurança desses medicamentos e qual seria o ideal para o tratamento de disfunção de armazenamento em pacientes neurogênicos adultos. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos encontrados foi baixa e não existem comparações diretas que englobem os quatro antimuscarínicos aqui considerados (darifenacina, oxibutinina, tolterodina e solifenacina). RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR: pelo exposto, a Conitec, em sua 82ª reunião ordinária, no dia 09 de outubro de 2019, recomendou a não incorporação no SUS dos antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para o tratamento da bexiga neurogênica. Além do aspecto financeiro, considerou-se, primordialmente, a ausência de benefício clínico significante e baixa qualidade da evidência analisada. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: Foram recebidas nove contribuições de experiência ou opinião, sendo sete discordantes da recomendação preliminar, uma não discordou nem concordou e uma foi excluída por não ter conteúdo analisável. A Conitec entendeu que não houve argumentação suficiente para alterara sua recomendação inicial. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL: Os membros da Conitec presentes na 85º reunião ordinária, no dia 04 de fevereiro de 2020, deliberaram, por unanimidade, por recomendar a não incorporação no SUS dos antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para o tratamento da disfunção de armazenamento em pacientes com bexiga neurogênica. DECISÃO: não incorporar os antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para o tratamento da disfunção de armazenamento em pacientes com bexiga neurogênica, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS, conforme a Portaria nº 9, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 49, seção 1, página 187, em 12 de março de 2020.

Muscarinic receptors promote pacemaker fate at the expense of secondary conduction system tissue in zebrafish.

Deterioration or inborn malformations of the cardiac conduction system (CCS) interfere with proper impulse propagation in the heart and may lead to sudden cardiac death or heart failure. Patients afflicted with arrhythmia depend on antiarrhythmic medication or invasive therapy, such as pacemaker implantation. An ideal way to treat these patients would be CCS tissue restoration. This, however, requires precise knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying CCS development. Here, we aimed to identify regulators of CCS development. We performed a compound screen in zebrafish embryos and identified tolterodine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, as a modifier of CCS development. Tolterodine provoked a lower heart rate, pericardiac edema, and arrhythmia. Blockade of muscarinic M3, but not M2, receptors induced transcriptional changes leading to amplification of sinoatrial cells and loss of atrioventricular identity. Transcriptome data from an engineered human heart muscle model provided additional evidence for the contribution of muscarinic M3 receptors during cardiac progenitor specification and differentiation. Taken together, we found that muscarinic M3 receptors control the CCS already before the heart becomes innervated. Our data indicate that muscarinic receptors maintain a delicate balance between the developing sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular canal, which is probably required to prevent the development of arrhythmia.

Antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para o tratamento da Incontinência Urinária de Urgência / Antimuscarinics (oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin and darifenacin) for the treatment of incontinence Urinary Urgency

INTRODUÇÃO: A incontinência urinária (IU) pode ser definida como a queixa de qualquer perda de urina de forma involuntária, provocada pelo indivíduo ou descrita por um cuidador. A IU pode acometer indivíduos de todas as idades, de ambos os sexos e de todos os níveis sociais e econômicos, afetando a qualidade de vida, comprometendo o bem-estar físico, emocional, psicológico e social. A Incontinência urinária de urgência (IUU) ocorre como consequência da hiperatividade detrusora (HD), ou seja, quando o músculo detrusor apresenta contração involuntária. Várias situações podem levar a HD, desde uma infecção urinária que irrita a mucosa vesical até uma alteração, identificável ou não, da inervação vesical. Os sintomas mais comuns associados a IUU são urgência miccional, polaciúria e noctúria. TECNOLOGIAS: Cloridrato de oxibutinina 5mg; Tartarato de tolterodina 4 mg; Succinato de solifenacina 5 e 10 mg; Bromidrato de darifinacina 7,5 e 15 mg. PERGUNTA: Qual a eficácia e a segurança do uso de antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, darifenacina e solifenacina) para o tratamento de indivíduos adultos com incontinência urinária de urgência? EVIDÊNCIAS CIENTÍFICAS: A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline (via PubMed) e Embase, resultando em nove estudos incluídos. A análise das evidências foi baseada em ensaios clínicos e meta-análises diretas e indiretas que compararam os antimuscarínicos com o placebo, a mirabegrona ou entre si. A maioria das meta-análises apresentaram grande heterogeneidade e a maioria dos estudos apresentaram risco de viés alto e tempo curto de seguimento. De forma global, os resultados mostram uma melhora em todos os desfechos de eficácia urinários avaliados após o uso de antimuscarínicos em comparação com o placebo. A solifenacina apresentou resultados melhores que os demais antimuscarínicos comparados. Entretanto, nem todos os demais antimuscarínicos foram comparados à solifenacina. O evento adverso mais frequente foi a boca seca, aparentemente mais exacerbado com a oxibutinina. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: A análise de custo efetividade foi realizada para os desfechos redução de episódios de IU/dia; redução de episódios de urgência/dia; e redução do número de micções/dia. O cenário base foi aquele no qual os pacientes recebiam cuidados para o acompanhamento da IU, disponível no SUS. Os cenários alternativos foram os seis utilizados na análise de impacto orçamentário (AIO). Para qualquer um dos desfechos analisados, as RCEI foram menores para a oxibutina e solifenacina. Os desfechos de eficácia foram superiores para as comparações entre oxibutinina versus placebo e para solifenacina versus placebo. AVALIAÇÃO DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: A AIO foi feita na perspectiva do SUS e considerou um horizonte temporal de cinco anos (2019-2023). Para a análise, seis cenários foram avaliados: 1) todos os medicamentos incorporados com um market share específico (33% para a tolterodina; 28% para a solifenacina; 17% oxibutinina; 17% mirabegrona; e 4% darifenacina); 2) apenas a tolterodina incorporada; 3) apenas a solifenacina incorporada; 4) apenas a oxibutinina incorporada; 5) apenas a mirabegrona incorporada; e 6) apenas a darifenacina incorporada. Esses cenários passaram por análise de sensibilidade para verificação da influência da variação da prevalência. Os cenários com menor impacto orçamentário foram aqueles com 100% de oxibutinina e 100% de solifenacina. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: As pesquisas apontaram não haver novos medicamentos nas fases 3 ou 4 de desenvolvimento clínico para o tratamento de incontinência urinária de urgência. CONSIDERAÇÕES: Analisando o corpo da evidência de forma global, verifica-se uma melhora em todos os desfechos urinários de eficácia avaliados após o uso de agentes antimuscarínicos. A solifenacina apresenta resultados superiores aos seus comparadores, porém não foi comparada a todas as opções de antimuscarínicos disponíveis. Portanto, as evidências disponíveis não apontam para qual dos medicamentos seria o mais efetivo e seguro. No entanto, de acordo com as bulas, existe a contraindicação de oxibutinina para indivíduos idosos e com determinadas comorbidades, como redução da função cognitiva e obstipação grave. Ademais, a maioria dos estudos avaliados apresentou risco de viés elevado, tempo de seguimento curto e resultados heterogêneos. Deste modo, os dados precisam ser interpretados com cautela. Além disso, é importante considerar a relevância clínica dos desfechos avaliados, pois, para a maioria deles em que foi avaliada a redução média de episódios de incontinência urinária/dia, esta redução foi menor que 1 episódio. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR: Considerou-se que há muitas incertezas em relação às evidências apresentadas e que a relevância clínica dos tratamentos é muito pequena. Além disso, a frequente ocorrência de eventos adversos próprios dessa classe terapêutica pode afetar ainda mais a rotina dos pacientes acometidos pela IUU. Assim a CONITEC, em 04 de abril de 2019, recomendou a não incorporação no SUS dos antimuscarínicos para Incontinência Urinária de Urgência. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: A matéria esteve em consulta pública no período de 09/05/2019 à 28/05/2019 e obteve apenas uma contribuição sobre a experiência com a tecnologia ou opnião sobre a incorporação. Tal contribuição foi excluída por não conter nenhuma informação, ou seja, estar em branco. Sendo assim, não houve alteração da recomendação preliminar. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL: Os membros da CONITEC presentes na 78º reunião ordinária do 06 de junho de 2019 deliberaram por unanimidade por recomendar a não incorporação no SUS dos antimuscarínicos para incontinência urinária de urgência. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 456/2019. DECISÃO: Não incorporar os antimuscarínicos (oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina e darifenacina) para incontinência urinária de urgência, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde ­ SUS. Dada pela Portaria nº 33, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 123, seção 1, página 240, em 28 de junho de 2019.

Mirabegron or tolterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder in Japan: Which drug is more cost-effective as the first-line treatment?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost-effectiveness of mirabegron 50 mg relative to tolterodine extended release 4 mg for the treatment of overactive bladder if used as the first-line treatment in Japan. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to simulate the cost-effectiveness of the mirabegron first-line treatment (and tolterodine second-line) versus tolterodine first-line treatment (and mirabegron second-line) taken for 5 years from the randomized European-Australian study (SCORPIO trial) and single technology appraisal assessment report by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated with utility value by quality-adjusted life year with cost using the medical fee and the drug price tariff in 2016. For the study of transition of treatment status, our analytical model was established. The transition probabilities of severity states were calculated based on the probabilities for the mean numbers of incontinence episodes/day and micturition episodes/day in mirabegron-treated and tolterodine-treated patients in the single technology appraisal assessment report. RESULTS: The 5-year expected effect per patient was 3.860 quality-adjusted life years for first-line mirabegron and 3.839 quality-adjusted life years for first-line tolterodine. The 5-year expected cost per patient was ¥526 191 for first-line mirabegron, and ¥472 390 for first-line tolterodine. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was ¥2 565 927/quality-adjusted life year. This value was below the willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥5 million/quality-adjusted life year. In more severe states, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeded ¥5 million. CONCLUSIONS: First-line mirabegron appears to be more cost-effective than first-line tolterodine. In patients with severe symptoms, first-line mirabegron is not economically preferable.

Análisis de impacto presupuestal de flavoxato, oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina, darifenacina y mirabegrón para el tratamiento de incontinencia urinaria de urgencia en Colombia / Budget impact analysis of flavoxate, oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin, darifenacin and mirabegron for the treatment of incontinence Urinary urgency in Colombia

INTRODUCCIÓN: El análisis de impacto presupuestal (AIP) de medicamentos anticolinérgicos para pacientes con incontinencia urinaria de urgencia en Colombia, se desarrolló en el marco del mecanismo técnico-científico para la ampliación progresiva del Plan de Beneficios en Salud con cargo a la UPC (PBSUPC) y la definición de la lista de exclusiones, establecido en el artículo 15 de la Ley 1751 de 2015. Estas tecnologías fueron seleccionadas por la Dirección de Beneficios, Costos y Tarifas del Aseguramiento en Salud del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social (MinSalud), y remitidas al Instituto de Evaluación Tecnológica en Salud (IETS) para su evaluación. La incontinencia urinaria o perdida involuntaria de orina es causada por la pérdida del control de la vejiga (1). Este problema de alta ocurrencia en la población general no cuenta con una prevalencia bien establecida (2,3), se estima que cerca de la mitad de los pacientes con problemas de vejiga nunca consultan esta condición con su médico tratante, aspecto por el cual no es tratada ni registrada. Por otra parte, si se conoce que el mayor número de casos de incontinencia urinaria se presentan en la población adulta y en mayor proporción en el sexo femenino durante el embarazo, el parto o la menopausia; llegando a considerarse el doble de frecuencia en sexo femenino frente al masculino. La incontinencia urinaria suele clasificarse en cuatro tipos de acuerdo a la posible causal asociada a esta condición: Incontinencia de esfuerzo, como aquella donde la vejiga no puede controlar el aumento de presión ante el ejercicio, la tos o los estornudos; este tipo de incontinencia es más frecuente en hombres que han tenido cirugía de próstata. Incontinencia de urgencia, es causada por la contracción súbita e involuntaria de la vejiga. Incontinencia mixta, es aquella donde se combina la incontinencia de esfuerzo y de urgencia, este tipo de incontinencia es más frecuente en las mujeres en edad adulta. Incontinencia funcional, como aquella incapacidad para retener la orina por razones distintas neuropáticas asociadas a otra condición de salud. Así mismo, el tratamiento de esta condición depende principalmente del tipo de incontinencia urinaria, la causa de la misma y las condiciones del paciente. Dentro de las alternativas de tratamiento se listan: la rehabilitación del músculo pélvico, tratamiento dirigido a las mujeres jóvenes; las terapias comportamentales, a fin de asumir hábitos que favorezcan la recuperación del control de vejiga; las terapia farmacológicas y finalmente, las intervenciones quirúrgicas. En el caso de la incontinencia urinaria de urgencia y mixta, una de las alternativas usadas en la primera y segunda línea son los esquemas farmacológicos (4). El principal grupo de medicamentos son los agentes antiespasmódicos y anticolinérgicos agrupados por la clasificación Anatómica, Terapéutica y Química (ATC por sus siglas en ingles) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) con el código G04BD. Actualmente, este grupo de medicamentos no es parte del Plan de Beneficios en Salud con cargo a la UPC (PBSUPC). Por lo anterior, el alcance de este análisis de impacto presupuestal es determinar el esfuerzo presupuestal necesario para incorporar este grupo de medicamentos al PBSUPC, excluyendo así estos medicamentos de las Prestaciones No Incluidas en el PBSUPC. Para el desarrollo de este documento se realizó una revisión de literatura, la consulta de registros nacionales y la consulta a expertos clínicos; con el fin de identificar la prevalencia de la incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, la frecuencia y costos asociados a eventos adversos, y a la estimación de los posibles escenarios de adopción de estas tecnologías sanitarias al ser financiadas en el Plan de Beneficios en Salud con cargo a la UPC. Para determinar el precio de las tecnologías, se consultó como fuente primaria el Sistema de información de. Precios de Medicamentos (SISMED) y finalmente, los posibles impactos presupuestales para en el Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS) colombiano. TECNOLOGÍAS EVALUADAS: Tratamiento actual: Actualmente no existen alternativas farmacológicas u otro tipo de intervención dirigida al tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, en el Plan de Beneficios en Salud con cargo a la Unidad de Pago por Capitación (UPC). Incorporación reglamentada por la Resolución 6408 de 2016 del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social. De este modo, el presente AIP no incorporó costos asociados al tratamiento actual. Tecnología evaluada: Los medicamentos evaluados son los agentes antiespasmódicos y anticolinérgicos agrupados por la clasificación Anatomica, Terapéutica y Química (ATC) con el código G04BD que cuenten con registro sanitario vigente en Colombia. Este grupo incluye los principios activos: flavoxato, oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina, darifenacina y mirabegrón. A continuación, se presenta una descripción de cada uno de estos principios activos incorporando dosificación para el tratamiento de incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, indicación aprobada por Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamento (INVIMA) y algunas consideraciones especiales para su prescripción. Flavoxato: INSUMOS Y MÉTODOS: Se presenta los supuestos, parámetros y métodos utilizados para el modelo de estimación del impacto presupuestal. Perspectiva: La perspectiva usada es la del Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (SGSSS), siguiendo las recomendaciones del manual para la elaboración de análisis de impacto presupuestal del IETS (9). De forma específica este análisis corresponde a las tecnologías y gastos médicos incorporados al Plan de Beneficios en Salud con cargo de la UPC. Horizonte temporal: El horizonte temporal de este AIP en el caso base corresponde a un año. Adicionalmente, se reportan las estimaciones del impacto presupuestal para los años 2 y 3, bajo el supuesto de la incorporación de los medicamentos evaluados para el Plan de Beneficios con cargo a la UPC en el año 1. Población total: Para el desarrollo del AIP se parte de la población general afiliada al SGSSS colombiano sin distinción de sexo o edad. Población objeto de análisis: Se delimita la población total a aquellos que tiene la condición de incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, incluyendo los que padecen incontinencia urinaria mixta. Para lo cual, se efectuó una búsqueda de prevalencias y proporciones en guías de práctica clínica, revisión de literatura especializada, búsqueda registros administrativos y consulta a expertos clínicos. RESULTADOS: Impacto Total e incremental: Dado que no existe tratamiento actual financiado en el Plan de Beneficios de salud con cargo a la UPC para la incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, la incorporación de los medicamentos con principios activos: flavoxato, oxibutinina, tolterodina, solifenacina, darifenacina y mirabegrón generará un esfuerzo presupuestal equivalente al costo de las nuevas tecnologias. Impacto por escenarios: En el primer escenario, se refleja la distribución actual del mercado de acuerdo con la información obtenida de SISMED para el año 2016. Esta distribución de acuerdo con la consulta de los expertos clínicos no tiene una tendencia a cambiar en las siguientes dos anualidades, debido a que no existe una diferencia significativa entre estas tecnologías que permita estimar una sustitución de tratamiento. Por otra parte, en el segundo escenario se modela una sustitución entre las alternativas terapéuticas que privilegia aquellos medicamentos que tienen una forma farmacéutica modificada para permitir una liberación prolongada del principio activo. Esta tendencia pese a ser mencionada por uno de los expertos clínicos, no es parte del consenso logrado en la etapa de consulta. Análisis de sensibilidade: Los análisis de sensibilidad estiman las variaciones del valor del impacto presupuestal incremental en el año 1 para los escenarios 1 y 2. Para cada caso se tomaron los precios mínimos, los base y los máximos, y con cada uno se calculó el valor de impacto presupuestal incremental; además, para cada uno se desarrolla un análisis de tipo determinístico y otro probabilístico.

Impact of Loss of Work Productivity in Patients with Overactive Bladder Treated with Antimuscarinics in Spain: Study in Routine Clinical Practice Conditions.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a syndrome characterized by presenting symptoms of urgency, with or without urge incontinence, and normally accompanied by day and night frequency. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of lost work productivity [number of days of sick leave] in patients treated with fesoterodine versus tolterodine and solifenacin to treat OAB in Spain. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was carried out using the records (digital databases) of actively working patients (2008-2013). The study population comprised of patients from two autonomous communities; 31 primary care centres agreed to participate. Patients who began first treatment with antimuscarinics (fesoterodine, solifenacin or tolterodine) and who met certain inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the study. Follow-up lasted for 1 year. The main outcome measures were comorbidity, medication possession ratio (MPR), treatment persistence, and number of days of sick leave and associated costs. Indirect costs were considered to be those related to lost work productivity (number of days of sick leave, exclusively), (1) due to OAB and (2) overall total. The cost was expressed as the average cost per patient (cost/unit). Multivariate analyses (Cox, ANCOVA) were used to correct the models. RESULTS: A total of 3094 patients were recruited into the study; 43.0 % were treated with solifenacin, 29.2 % with tolterodine, and 27.8 % with fesoterodine. The average age of patients was 54 years (standard deviation 9.2), and 62.2 % were women. The comparison of fesoterodine versus solifenacin and tolterodine showed a higher MPR (90.0 vs. 87.0 and 86.1 %, respectively), higher treatment persistence (40.2 vs. 34.7 and 33.6 %), lower use of sick leave (22.8 vs. 52.9 and 36.7 %), total number of days of sick leave (5.1 vs. 9.7 and 9.3 days) and costs corrected for covariates (€371 vs. €703 and €683); p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the possible limitations of this study, active patients who began treatment with fesoterodine to treat OAB (compared with solifenacin or tolterodine) had fewer days of sick leave, resulting in lower costs due to lost productivity.

Cost-effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination of solifenacin and oral controlled adsorption system formulation of tamsulosin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Storage symptoms, associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), often co-exist with voiding symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Storage symptoms are likely to be most bothersome, and may not be adequately resolved by treatment with α-blocker or antimuscarinic monotherapy. A recent randomised controlled phase 3 trial (NEPTUNE) demonstrated that a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of solifenacin 6 mg plus an oral controlled absorption system (OCAS™) formulation of tamsulosin (TOCAS, 0.4 mg) improved storage symptoms, as well as quality of life, compared with TOCAS alone in men with moderate-to-severe storage symptoms and voiding symptoms. This analysis aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of a FDC tablet of solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS relative to tolterodine plus tamsulosin given concomitantly, from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: A Markov model was developed for men aged ≥45 years with LUTS/BPH who have moderate-to-severe storage symptoms and voiding symptoms. The model calculated cost-effectiveness over an analytical time horizon of 1 year and estimated total treatment costs, quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. RESULTS: The FDC tablet of solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS was associated with lower total annual costs (£860 versus £959) and increased QALYs (0.839 versus 0.836), and was therefore dominant compared with tolterodine plus tamsulosin. Time horizon, discontinuation or withdrawal rates, drug cost and utility values were the main drivers of cost-effectiveness. The probability that the FDC tablet of solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS is cost-effective was 100% versus tolterodine plus tamsulosin, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000/QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: The FDC tablet of solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS provides important clinical benefits and is a cost-effective treatment strategy in the UK NHS compared with tolterodine plus tamsulosin for men with both storage and voiding LUTS/BPH.

Cost effectiveness of mirabegron compared with tolterodine extended release for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is highly prevalent and is associated with considerable morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life. ß3-adrenergic receptor (ß3-AR) stimulation is a novel alternative to antimuscarinic therapy for OAB. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to assess the cost effectiveness of the ß3-AR agonist mirabegron relative to tolterodine extended release (ER) in patients with OAB from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to simulate the management, course of disease, and effect of complications in OAB patients over a period of 5 years. Transition probabilities for symptom severity levels and probabilities of adverse events were estimated from the results of the randomised, double-blind SCORPIO trial in 1,987 patients with OAB. Other model inputs were derived from the literature and on assumptions based on clinical experience. RESULTS: Total 5-year costs per patient were £1,645.62 for mirabegron 50 mg/day and £1,607.75 for tolterodine ER 4 mg/day. Mirabegron was associated with a gain of 0.009 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with an additional cost of £37.88. The resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £4,386/QALY gained. In deterministic sensitivity analyses in the general OAB population and several subgroups, ICERs remained below the generally accepted willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of £20,000/QALY gained. The probability of mirabegron 50 mg being cost effective relative to tolterodine ER 4 mg was 89.4 % at the same WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron 50 mg/day is likely to be cost effective compared with tolterodine ER 4 mg/day for adult patients with OAB from a UK NHS perspective.

Efectividad y seguridad de la oxibutinina o tolterodina comparado con darifenacina, solifenacina, fesoterodina y placebo para el tratamiento de la incontinencia / Effectiveness and safety of oxybutynin or tolterodine compared to darifenacin, solifenacin, fesoterodine and placebo for the treatment of incontinence

Introducción: Alrededor del 16% al 45% de los adultos tiene síntomas de vejiga hiperactiva, que se manifiestan con urgencia para orinar, aumento en la frecuencia de micciones o incontinencia urinaria de urgencia, o ambos, denominado síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva. Los fármacos anticolinérgicos son los tratamientos más comunes para el tratamiento farmacológico y entre ellos la oxibutinina y la tolterodina. Esta evaluación tecnológica se desarrolló en el marco de la actualización integral del Plan Obligatorio de Salud para el año 2015. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la oxibutinina o la tolterodina para la incontinencia urinaria, comparadas con otros medicamentos antimuscarínicos como: solifenacina, darifenacina, fesoterodina para informar la toma de decisiones. Metodología: la evaluación fue realizada de acuerdo al protocolo definido previamente por el grupo desarrollador. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects y LILACS, sin restricciones de idioma y limitada a revisiones sistemáticas publicadas en los últimos cinco años. Las búsquedas electrónicas fueron hechas entre octubre y noviembre de 2014 y se complementaron mediante búsqueda manual en bola de nieve y una consulta con expertos temáticos. La tamización de referencias se realizó por dos revisores de forma independiente y los desacuerdos fueron resueltos por consenso. La selección de estudios fue realizada mediante la revisión en texto completo de las referencias preseleccionadas, verificando los criterios de elegibilidad. La calidad de los estudios fue valorada con la herramienta AMSTAR. Las características de los estudios fueron extraídas a partir de las publicaciones originales. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de las estimaciones del efecto para las comparaciones y desenlaces de interés a partir de los estudios de mejor calidad con AMSTAR. Resultados: se seleccionó una revisión sistemática que incluyó un total de 86 ensayos clínicos (31,249 pacientes) con medicamentos muscarínicos incluyendo a la Oxibutinina y la Tolterodina. Se realizaron comparaciones directas entre medicamentos y comparaciones intratecnología (dosis y presentaciones). Cuando se comparó la Tolterodina versus la Oxibutinina, no se encontró diferencia estadisticamente significativa en los desenlaces de calidad de vida, la percepción de cura o mejora y cuantificación de los síntomas. Cuando se comparó solifenacina versus tolterodina, se encontró diferencia estadisticamente significativa en los mismos desenlaces a favor de la solifenacina, e igual se reportó en la comparación fesoterodina versus tolterodina, a favor de la fesoterodina. Respecto a seguridad se comparó tolterodina versus oxibutinina y el retiro por eventos adversos fue más frecuente en el grupo de la oxibutinina RR 0.52 IC95% 0.40 a 0.66. En la comparación de soliferacina versus oxibutinina el retiro por eventos adversos fue más frecuente en el grupo de oxibutinina RR 0.45 IC95% 0.22 a 0.91 y al comparar la fesoterodina versus la tolterodina el retiro por eventos adversos fue más frecuente en el grupo de la fesoterodina RR 1.45 IC95% 1.07 a 1.98. Conclusiones: Efectividad: No se evidenció diferencia en efectividad entre la Oxibutinina y Tolterodina en los desenlaces de calidad de vida y la percepción de cura o mejora. Para la comparación de efectividad entre Oxibutinina versus Darifenacina y Solifenacina, no se reportaron resultados. La Solfenacina y Fesoterodina son más efectivas que la Tolterodina, en los desenlaces de calidad de vida y la percepción de cura o mejora. Seguridad: Tolterodina fue más seguro que la Oxibutinina, respecto al abandono por eventos adversos. La comparación entre Darifenacina versus oxibutinina no reportó resultados. Solifenacina fue más seguro que la oxibutinina, respecto al abandono por eventos adversos. Tolterodina fue más seguro que Fesoterodina, respecto al abandono por eventos adversos y boca seca.(AU)

Psychometric assessment of female overactive bladder syndrome and antimuscarinics-related effects.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of psychological distress (PD), personality traits, and family support in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), and the effects of antimuscarinic treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Women with and without OAB (age- and body mass index [BMI]-matched control group) were prospectively enrolled; they recorded bladder diaries, underwent urodynamic studies, and completed PD, personality traits, and filled family support questionnaires before and after antimuscarinic treatment. OAB women underwent treatment with tolterodine or solifenacin for 12 weeks. The control group completed questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The differences in PD, personality traits, and family support scores between both groups, and the changes after antimuscarinic treatment in OAB women. RESULTS: Eighty-five women with OAB (tolterodine, n=42; solifenacin, n=43) and 65 without OAB completed the studies. Linear regression analysis with age and BMI adjustment revealed: coefficients of OAB were significant (all P<0.05) for somatic complaints (mean: 0.87 vs. 0.63, coefficient=0.21), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (0.69 vs. 0.44, coefficient=0.25), anxiety symptoms (0.42 vs. 0.27, coefficient=0.14), General Symptom Index (GSI, 0.48 vs. 0.33, coefficient=0.14), neuroticism (9.23 vs. 5.17, coefficient=3.73), and extroversion-introversion (13.64 vs. 15.25, coefficient=-1.73). Anxiety symptoms (0.42 vs. 0.36) and GSI (0.48 vs. 0.39) improved after antimuscarinics (all P<0.05). High Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire score (coefficient=-0.39), low hostility score (coefficient=2.11), and high additional symptoms score (coefficient=-1.46) were associated with good therapeutic effect (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OAB women experience more PD, neuroticism, and introversion than asymptomatic women, and antimuscarinics could improve PD.

Use of health care resources and associated costs in non-institutionalized vulnerable elders with overactive bladder treated with antimuscarinic agents in the usual medical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of resources and health costs in vulnerable elderly institutionalized patients with overactive bladder (OAB) treated with fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin in routine medical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study, from the records of patients treated during 2008-2010 in three geographical locations and starting treatment with antimuscarinic (fesoterodine, solifenacin and tolterodine) for OAB. The attribute of vulnerability was based on collecting at least 3 of the Vulnerable Elders Survey criteria-13, age>75 years, poor/average age for health and difficulty in at least one daily physical activity. MAIN MEASURES: morbidity, persistence and resource use and costs. Monitoring of patients was conducted over 52 weeks. A general linear model with covariates and bootstraping (1000) at random was used to construct the 95% CI of the cost differences between drugs. RESULTS: Records of 552 patients (50.8% women, mean age: 80.2 years) were analyzed. Treated with fesoterodine (N=58), solifenacin (N=252) or tolterodine (N=212). The use of absorbent was 20.7%, 29.4% and 33.0% (P=.186), respectively. Persistence to treatment was slightly greater with fesoterodine. The patient healthcare costs/year were lower with fesoterodine, €1,775 (1550-2014) vs. solifenacin €2,062 (1911-2223) and tolterodine €2,149 (1,978-2,307), P=.042, as a result of lower utilization visits and concomitant medication. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the potential limitations of the study, the vulnerable elderly non institutionalized patients with OAB treated with fesoterodine, compared to solifenacin or tolterodine were associated with lower resource utilization and healthcare costs.

Cost effectiveness of fesoterodine and tolterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder with urge urinary incontinence in Spain and Finland.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder is a prevalent condition worldwide that is associated with a considerable burden, both on the patient and on society. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the economic value of fesoterodine compared with tolterodine extended release (ER) for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in Spain and Finland. METHODS: A decision-tree economic model estimated the 52-week costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of OAB/UUI patients initiating treatment with fesoterodine 4 mg/day or tolterodine ER. Individuals were evaluated for treatment response (UUI fewer than one episode/day) and persistence at weeks 4, 12, and 24. Titration from fesoterodine 4 mg/day to 8 mg/day was permitted at week 4. At week 12, non-responders discontinued treatment permanently. Efficacy, discontinuation, and utility data were derived from four clinical trials of fesoterodine. OAB-related costs, including physician visits, laboratory tests, incontinence pads, and comorbidities (fracture, skin infection, urinary tract infections, depression, and nursing home) were also included. RESULTS: A total of 19.5 % and 18.0 % of fesoterodine and tolterodine ER patients remained on treatment until week 52, respectively. QALYs were higher with fesoterodine than tolterodine ER (0.762 vs. 0.760). In Spain, fesoterodine treatment had higher total costs than (generic) tolterodine ER (€6,697 vs. 6,597), resulting in a cost of €15,633/QALY gained. In Finland, fesoterodine was cost saving relative to (non-generic) tolterodine ER (€7,885 vs. 8,024). Sensitivity analysis confirmed that these findings were robust to the expected price decrease for generic tolterodine ER in Finland. CONCLUSION: Fesoterodine is cost effective or cost saving relative to tolterodine ER for the treatment of OAB with UUI in two European countries. Payers and prescribers should consider a broad scope of costs to make informed cost-conscious choices of antimuscarinic treatment.

Health economics perspective of fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin as first-time therapy for overactive bladder syndrome in the primary care setting in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) is associated with high healthcare costs, which may be partially driven by drug treatment. There is little comparative data on antimuscarinic drugs with respect to resource use and costs. This study was conducted to address this gap and the growing need for naturalistic studies comparing health economics outcomes in adult patients with OAB syndrome initiating treatment with different antimuscarinic drugs in a primary care setting in Spain. METHODS: Medical records from the databases of primary healthcare centres in three locations in Spain were assessed retrospectively. Men and women ≥18 years of age who initiated treatment with fesoterodine, tolterodine or solifenacin for OAB between 2008 and 2010 were followed for 52 weeks. Healthcare resource utilization and related costs in the Spanish National Health System were compared. Comparisons among drugs were made using multivariate general linear models adjusted for location, age, sex, time since diagnosis, Charlson comorbidity index, and medication possession ratio. RESULTS: A total of 1,971 medical records of patients (58.3% women; mean age, 70.1 [SD:10.6] years) initiating treatment with fesoterodine (n = 302), solifenacin (n = 952) or tolterodine (n = 717) were examined. Annual mean cost per patient was €1798 (95% CI: €1745; €1848). Adjusted mean (95% bootstrap CI) healthcare costs were significantly lower in patients receiving fesoterodine (€1639 [1542; 1725]) compared with solifenacin (€1780 [€1699; €1854], P = 0.022) or tolterodine (€1893 [€1815; €1969], P = 0.001). Cost differences occurred because of significantly fewer medical visits, and less use of absorbent products and OAB-related concomitant medication in the fesoterodine group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with solifenacin and tolterodine, fesoterodine was a cost-saving therapy for treatment of OAB in the primary care setting in Spain.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of solifenacin versus oxybutynin immediate-release in the treatment of patients with overactive bladder in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a cost-utility analysis comparing initial treatment with solifenacin 5 mg/day vs oxybutynin immediate-release (IR) 15 mg/day for the treatment of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) from the perspective of the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: A Markov model with six health states was developed to follow a cohort of OAB patients treated with either solifenacin or oxybutynin during a 1-year period. Costs and utilities were accumulated as patients transited through the health states in the model and a drop-out state. Some of the solifenacin patients were titrated from 5 mg to 10 mg/day at 8 weeks. A proportion of drop-out patients were assumed to continue treatment with tolterodine ER. Utility values were obtained from a Swedish study and pad use was based on a multinational clinical trial. Adherence rates for individual treatments were derived from a U.K. database study. For pad use and utility values, the drop-out state was split between those patients who were no longer receiving treatment and those on second-line therapy. Patients on second-line therapy who drop-out were referred for a specialist visit. Results were expressed in terms of incremental cost-utility ratios. RESULTS: Total annual costs for solifenacin and oxybutynin were £504.30 and £364.19, respectively. First-line drug use represents 49% and 4% of costs and pad use represent 23% and 40% of costs for solifenacin and oxybutynin, respectively. Differences between cumulative utilities were small but were greater for solifenacin (0.7020 vs. 0.6907). The baseline incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £12,309/QALY. CONCLUSION: Under the baseline assumptions, solifenacin would appear to be cost-effective with an incremental cost-utility of less than £20,000/QALY. However, small differences in utility between the alternatives and the large number of drop-outs means that the results are sensitive to small adjustments in the values of utilities assigned to the drop-out state.