Shifting the treatment paradigm in idiopathic overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a common condition that is known to have a significant impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Whilst all patients will initially benefit from lifestyle modifications and behavioural therapy in the first instance drug therapy remains integral in management pathways. The purpose of this review paper is to reappraise the evidence based approach to the management of OAB in addition to exploring a new treatment algorithm for the escalation of treatment in those patients with refractory symptoms. DESIGN: Literature Review RESULTS: Antimuscarinic drugs are currently the most commonly used medication although the introduction of mirabegron, a ß3 agonist, has provided an alternative and also allowed combination therapy in those patients who have failed to improve on primary therapy or who have troublesome side effects. For those patients with symptoms of refractory OAB more invasive therapies including OnabotulinumtoxinA, sacral neuromodulation and Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) may be indicated. CONCLUSION: We propose a new, evidence based, treatment algorithm for the management of OAB in patients who remain refractory to first line therapy.

Management of prolapse in older women.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem affecting 37% of women over the age of 80. Review by a specialist with the aid of a validated quality of life questionnaire will help assess bother, as well as the frequency and severity of urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms. Pelvic examination should be carried out to assess the extent of any prolapse and the compartments affected. The main aim of the treatment is to improve the woman's quality of life. Treatment options may be conservative with lifestyle modifications and pelvic floor muscle therapy, use of a pessary or surgery. Treatment has previously been incorrectly limited in the elderly with the misconception that surgery should be avoided. Her current state of health and expectations are most important. Regardless of age, each patient should be assessed individually with a holistic multi-compartment approach and the risk benefit ratios of every treatment considered.

The management of overactive bladder refractory to medical therapy.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical syndrome describing the symptom complex of urgency, with or without urgency incontinence and is usually associated with frequency and nocturia. Whilst many women may be initially managed using a clinical diagnosis alone a number will fail primary therapy and will require further investigation. Those women with refractory symptoms following initial conservative and medical therapy may benefit from alternative treatment modalities including intravesical Botulinum toxin, neuromodulation or reconstructive surgery. This review, the second of two covering the treatment of intractable OAB symptoms in women, will focus on management following the failure of medical therapy. It will principally focus on the role of Botulinum toxin, neuromodulation and reconstructive surgery.

Antidiuresis therapy: mechanism of action and clinical implications.

Abnormalities of micturition occur in many different diseases, have a variety of causes and take several forms. This review will focus exclusively on those abnormalities in which antidiuretic therapy may be of benefit. These conditions are primarily characterized by an increase in the total amount of urine produced (polyuria) or a circadian shift in the control of urine production and/or voiding (nocturnal enuresis, nocturia).