Economic Impact Associated with Patients with Overactive Bladder on Drug Treatment with Mirabegron or Antimuscarinics in Spain

Objective: To assess the economic impact associated with overactive bladder (OAB) patients, treated with mirabegron or antimuscarinics (AM) in Spain, over a 12-month period. Methods: A probabilistic model (second-order Monte Carlo simulation) was used in a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients with OAB and a time horizon of 12 months. The use of resources was obtained from the retrospective observational study MIRACAT that included 3330 patients with OAB. The analysis was carried out from the perspective of the National Health System (NHS) including that of society with the indirect cost of abseenteism in a sensitivity analysis. Unit costs were obtained from Spanish public healthcare prices (€ 2021) and from previously published Spanish studies. Results: The annual average savings for the NHS for each patient with OAB treated with mirabegron would be € 1135 (95%confidence interval (CI) € 390; 2421) compared with a patient treated with AM. Annual average savings were maintained in all the sensitivity analyses carried out, ranging from a minimum of € 299 to a maximum of € 3381 per patient. The substitution of 25% of the AM treatments (for 81534 patients) to mirabegron would generate, within 1 year, savings for the NHS of € 92 million (95% CI € 31; 197 million). Conclusions: According to the present model, the treatment of OAB with mirabegron would generate savings compared with treatment with AM in all scenarios and sensitivity analysis performed, and for the NHS and for society perspectives (AU)

Uso de recursos y costes sanitarios en pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva que inician tratamiento con mirabegrón o un antimuscarínico en monoterapia en Cataluña: estudio MIRACAT / Resource use and healthcare costs in patients with overactive bladder who initiate treatment with mirabegron or antimuscarinic monotherapy in Catalonia: the MIRACAT study

Introducción y objetivo La vejiga hiperactiva (VH) impacta negativamente en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y puede asociarse a un elevado consumo de recursos. Nuestro objetivo fue describir el uso de recursos, costes y persistencia asociados al tratamiento de la VH con mirabegrón (MB) o antimuscarínicos (AM).Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo en registros médicos en adultos que iniciaron tratamiento para VH con MB o AM en Cataluña. Se analizó el uso de recursos sanitarios (visitas, hospitalizaciones, pruebas, medicación, absorbentes para incontinencia) en el primer año tras el inicio del tratamiento, estimando sus costes asociados (€, 2019) y la persistencia terapéutica. Se definió abandono como la falta de prescripción durante ≥ 45 días o el cambio de tratamiento.Resultados El coste medio por paciente (desviación estándar [DE]) con MB fue 1.640,20 € (1.227,60) vs. 2.159,20 € (2.264,60) con AM; el coste asociado al uso de recursos sanitarios fue inferior en MB vs. AM, exceptuando el coste del tratamiento farmacológico con MB. La persistencia al tratamiento a los 12 meses fue superior en MB (42,1 vs. 33,0%), así como el tiempo (mediana) hasta el abandono del tratamiento: 299 (IC 95%: 270,11-327,89) vs. 240 días (IC 95%: 230,46-249,54).Conclusiones Los pacientes tratados con MB mostraron menor uso de recursos, resultando en un coste medio por paciente/año más bajo, a pesar del mayor coste del fármaco respecto a AM. La mayor persistencia al tratamiento y el uso racional de las terapias disponibles mejoran el manejo de la VH y la calidad de vida de los pacientes (AU)

Introduction and aim Overactive bladder (OAB) negatively impacts patient quality of life and may be associated with high resource use. Our aim was to describe the resource use, costs and persistence associated with mirabegron (MB) or antimuscarinic (AM) treatment in patients with OAB.Materials and methods Observational retrospective study of medical records in adult patients initiating OAB treatment with MB or AM in Catalonia. Healthcare resource use (visits, hospital stays, tests, medication, absorbent pads) in the first year after treatment initiation was collected. Associated costs were estimated (€, reference year 2019), as well as treatment persistence. Treatment discontinuation was defined as the absence of prescription for at least 45 days or treatment change.Results The mean cost per patient (SD) was € 1,640.20 (€ 1,227.60) with MB and € 2,159.20 (€ 2,264.40) with AM; the associated healthcare resource use cost was lower with MB compared to AM, except for OAB drug costs. Persistence after 12 months of treatment initiation was higher in MB (42.1%) compared to AM (33.0%), as was the median time until treatment discontinuation: 299 (95% CI: 270-328) vs 240 days (95% CI: 230-250).Conclusions Lower healthcare resource use was observed with MB compared to AM in the first year of index treatment, resulting in a lower mean direct cost per patient and year, despite its higher acquisition cost. Increased treatment persistence, as well as rational use of available treatments improves OAB management and, in return, patients’ quality of life (AU)

Patient Perceptions Impact Progression to Third-Line Therapy for Treatment of Overactive Bladder.

PURPOSE: We aimed to understand the reasons patients choose to pursue third-line overactive bladder (OAB) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study that included patient interviews and survey data. Eligible patients were diagnosed by symptoms, had tried behavioral modifications, and OAB medications enrolled from October 2018 to August 2019. In addition to interviews, patients completed 4 surveys: the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form, Life Orientation Test-Revised, and a patient confidence in the health care system survey. Qualitative interview data were analyzed thematically. Logistic regression and chi-square analysis was used to analyze survey data. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were consented, 4 withdrew, and 51 completed both interview and survey data. Overall 55% of patients were Caucasian, 45% were African American, and their average age was 71 (SD=10.4); 75% intended to pursue third-line OAB therapy and 31 (61%) expressed interest in a specific third-line therapy. Major interview themes included a desire for a better quality of life, embarrassment with accidents, and problems with medication. Themes leading patients away from third-line OAB treatment included concern about invasiveness and side effects of treatments, and restrictions to accessing care. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients desired to progress to third-line OAB therapy, were motivated by embarrassment, but were concerned about treatment side effects. We found that economic burden of OAB treatment is associated with patient interest in and decision to receive third-line therapies to include onabotulinumtoxinA and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Improved quality of life, medication frustration, and concerns about side effects of further therapy are themes patients identified when patients considered third-line overactive bladder therapy.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Between Sacral Neuromodulation and OnabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Refractory Overactive Bladder in Women: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: We summarized the evidence evaluating the cost-effectiveness of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) versus onabotulinumtoxinA (BONT/A) in the treatment of refractory overactive bladder (OAB) among women. METHODS: We searched PubMed Medline (1946-2019), EMBASE (1947-2019), Web of Science (1900-2019), Clinical Trials.gov, reviewed references of included studies, and Cochrane subsets of CDSR, DARE, CENTRAL, and NHSEED. We included cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses or decision analysis comparing SNM versus BONT/A in women with nonneurogenic refractory OAB. Primary outcomes included incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), reported as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which were abstracted or calculated. RESULTS: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Three studies were industry supported. Two studies of high quality found BONT/A to be dominant over SNM (ICER range of $415,571/QALY at 5 years and $236,370/QALY at 10 years). This trend was further supported by a third study of high quality that favored BONT/A because SNM was not cost-effective (ICER, $116,427/QALY at 2 years). In contrast, 2 other studies of lower quality found that SNM was cost-effective or dominant in comparison to BONT/A (ICER range, $3,717/QALY to €15,226/QALY at 10 years). In general, models were sensitive to treatment duration, intervention setting, and lacked robust data on long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: OnabotulinumtoxinA is more cost-effective for managing refractory OAB when compared with SNM. However, it remains unclear whether this finding holds true long term for what is considered a lifelong condition.

National Patterns of Filled Prescriptions and Third-Line Treatment Utilization for Privately Insured Women With Overactive Bladder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate national patterns of care for women with overactive bladder (OAB) in an administrative data set and identify potential areas for improvement. METHODS: We performed an analysis using the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, which contains deidentified administrative claims data from a large national US health insurance plan. The study included women, older than 18 years, with a new OAB diagnosis from January 1, 2007, to June 30, 2017. We excluded those with an underlying neurologic etiology, with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, were pregnant, or did not have continuous enrollment for 12 months before and after OAB diagnosis. Trends in management were assessed via the Cochran-Armitage test. Time to discontinuation among medications was compared using t test. RESULTS: Of 1.4 million women in the database during the study time frame, 60,246 (4%) were included in the study. Median age was 61 years [interquartile range (IQR), 50-73], and median follow-up was 2.6 years (IQR, 1.6-4.2). Overall, 37% were treated with anticholinergics, 5% with beta-3 agonists, 7% with topical estrogen, and 2% with pelvic floor physical therapy; 26% saw a specialist; and 2% underwent third-line therapy. Median time to cessation of prescription filling was longer for beta-3 agonists versus anticholinergics [median, 4.1 months (IQR, 1-15) vs 3.6 months (IQR, 1-10); P < 0.0001]. Use of third-line therapies significantly increased over the study time frame, from 1.1% to 2.2% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients do not continue filling prescriptions for OAB medications, and a minority of patients were referred for specialty evaluation. Although third-line therapy use is increasing, it is used in a small proportion of women with OAB. Given these patterns, there may be underutilization of specialist referral and other OAB therapies.

Are Beta 3 Adrenergic Agonists Now the Preferred Pharmacologic Management of Overactive Bladder?

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This paper discusses the recent evidence supporting beta 3 adrenergic agonists as the preferred pharmacological management of overactive bladder syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Mirabegron has a similar efficacy profile to first-line antimuscarinics with favorable adverse effects profile. Treatment of OAB with beta-3 adrenergic agonist should be favored in patients at higher risk of anticholinergic adverse events. The efficacy and tolerability of beta-3 adrenergic agonists are consistently reported in older OAB patients, whether used alone or with other antimuscarinics. Mirabegron is cost-effective in treating OAB unless the symptoms were severe or refractory. Combination therapy of mirabegron and other pharmacotherapy has proven to be efficient in controlling OAB symptoms without inducing serious add-on adverse effects. While beta-3 adrenergic agonists bear favorable advantages in OAB treatment, physicians should perform a thorough and careful pre-treatment planning to optimize treatment benefits and adherence.

Análisis de costes y consecuencias relacionados con la persistencia del tratamiento con Mirabegrón y los fármacos antimuscarínicos y su impacto sobre la calidad de vida en los pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva en España: resultados de un modelo probabilístico / Analysis of costs and consequences related to the persistence of Mirabegron and antimuscarinic treatments and their impact on quality of life in patients with overactive bladder in Spain: Results of a probabilistic model

OBJETIVO: Evaluar si la menor tasa de abandonos del tratamiento de la vejiga hiperactiva (VH) con mirabegrón podría generar ahorros para el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) y ganancia de años de vida ajustados por calidad (AVACs), en comparación con los fármacos antimuscarínicos (AM) (tolterodina, fesoterodina, oxibutinina, solifenacina). MÉTODOS: Modelo probabilístico (simulación de Monte Carlo de segundo orden) en una cohorte hipotética de 1.000 pacientes con VH y un horizonte temporal de 1 año. Las tasas de abandono/persistencia del tratamiento con mirabegrón y AM se obtuvieron de un estudio observacional español en 1.798 pacientes. Los costes unitarios (€ 2018) y la pérdida de utilidades ligada al abandono del tratamiento se obtuvieron de precios públicos españoles y de la literatura, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: En cada paciente tratado con mirabegrón se duplica la tasa de persistencia en comparación con los AM, ganándose anualmente 0,0151 ±0,0007 AVACs, frente a AM. Con mirabegrón se generaría un ahorro anual por paciente de 80,74 ± 4,61 € en comparación con los AM, con una probabilidad de ahorro del 100%. La sustitución hipotética de los AM por mirabegrón, generaría en el plazo de 1 año un ahorro para el SNS de 6,6 millones de euros (IC 95%3,9-10,1 millones de euros) y se ganarían 1.238 AVAC (IC95% 731; 1.885 AVAC). CONCLUSIONES: El modelo probabilístico muestra una mayor persistencia en pacientes tratados con mirabegrón en comparación con los AM, generando un impacto positivo sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes así como ahorros para el SNS

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the lower dropout rate of the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with mirabegron could generate cost savings to the National Health System (NHS) and lead to quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gains, compared to the most commonly prescribed antimuscarinics (AM) in Spain (tolterodine, fesoterodine, oxybutynin, solifenacin). METHODS: A probabilistic model (second order Monte Carlo simulation) in a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients with OAB and a time horizon of 1 year was carried out. Discontinuation and persistence rates for both mirabegron and AM were obtained from a Spanish observational study in 1798 patients. Unit costs (€ 2018) and utility loss associated with treatment discontinuation were obtained from Spanish public prices and literature, respectively. RESULTS: Persistence rates in patients treated with mirabegron were twice as high compared to AM, leading to a QALY gain of 0.0151 ± 0.0007 per year. Treatment with mirabegron could generate savings of 80.74 ± 4.61 € per patient per year compared to AM, assuming 100% probability of saving. The hypothetical substitution of AM treatment for mirabegron could potentially generate savings of 6.6 million euros (95% CI 3.9-10.1 million euros) to the NHS and 1,238 QALYs gains (CI 95% 731; 1,885 QALYs) within a period of 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The probabilistic model presented showed a greater persistence in patients treated with mirabegron compared to AM, leading to a positive impact in patients quality of life, as well cost savings to the NHS in Spain

Contemporary Patterns of Third-line Treatments for Privately Insured Individuals With Overactive Bladder in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate utilization of third-line overactive bladder (OAB) treatments including percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral nerve stimulation (SNS), and intradetrusor botulinum toxin A (BTX) among privately insured patients and examine factors associated with their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using MarketScan claims (2015-2017), we identified patients who underwent third-line OAB treatments based on procedure codes. Factors of interest included location, age, health plan, among others. We fit multivariable logistic regression models to estimate associations between pertinent factors with receipt of PTNS and SNS relative to BTX and associations between provider type and practice location with each treatment modality. RESULTS: We identified 7383 patients (mean age 50.9) in our cohort. SNS was used most frequently (n = 3602, 48.8%), while PTNS was used least frequently (n = 955, 12.9%). PTNS patients were more likely to reside in metropolitan areas (vs BTX: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.3-2.1; vs SNS: OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.7-2.8), be aged 55 years or older (vs BTX: 54% vs 47%, OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.2-2.1; vs SNS: 54% vs 45%, OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.2-2.0), and be covered under a health maintenance organization (vs BTX: 17% vs 10%; vs SNS: 17% vs 10%, P <.01). Urologists were most likely to perform SNS, and gynecologists were most likely to perform BTX. 91% of PTNS procedures were performed in office settings. CONCLUSION: Among patients receiving third-line OAB treatment, PTNS was used infrequently. PTNS utilization was concentrated within urban areas, and among older patients and those covered by cost-conscious health maintenance organizations.

Management of Patients with Overactive Bladder in Brazil: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Data From the Brazilian Public Health System.

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, current data on the use of healthcare resources to manage individuals with overactive bladder (OAB) are lacking. This study aimed to characterize contemporary treatment and the economic burden among patients with OAB managed under the Brazilian public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]). METHODS: Population-based data from January to December of 2015 were acquired from Brazil's public health database. Adults at least 18 years of age with an ICD-10 diagnostic code for OAB within the period were included. Records of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and onabotulinumtoxinA injections were used to calculate estimates of resource use and costs (in Brazilian reals [R$]) among those with OAB (frequency [%] and mean (standard deviation [SD]) as appropriate). Patient identifiers were not available, so a record linkage methodology was used to match medical encounters to individuals. Pharmacologic management of OAB was informed by government medication purchases available from the official Brazilian government databases. RESULTS: During 2015, 26,640 patients with OAB were identified. All cohort members had at least one outpatient visit and 15,349 (57.6%) were hospitalized. Of the study cohort, 10.0% visited a general practitioner (GP), 41.3% visited a specialist, and 52.0% visited other non-medical healthcare practitioners within the year. Mean (SD) healthcare costs among the study cohort totaled R$355 (R$866) per patient per year; and were R$291 (R$654), R$27 (R$130), R$27 (R$30), and R$11 (R$17) for hospitalizations, GP, specialist, and non-medical healthcare practitioner visits per patient per year, respectively. Regional analysis of reported government medication purchases suggested that access to OAB treatments is highly limited. CONCLUSIONS: High resource use and costs were estimated among patients with OAB managed within the SUS. These data provide a snapshot of the management of patients with OAB in Brazil, with the patients seeking treatment under SUS likely representing a more burdened subpopulation.

Real World Performance of Sacral Neuromodulation and OnabotulinumtoxinA for Overactive Bladder: Focus on Safety and Cost.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the real world safety and cost of third line overactive bladder therapies, including onabotulinumtoxinA and sacral neuromodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an all-inclusive, population based cohort study of third line therapies of overactive bladder (sacral neuromodulation or onabotulinumtoxinA) using the statewide surgical data captured in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. The main outcome measures were 30-day safety events, and 1 and 3-year health care utilization costs. Propensity score matching was done to control for confounding factors and comparative analyses of safety events were also performed. RESULTS: Our cohort included 2,680 patients, of whom 1,328 underwent sacral neuromodulation and 1,352 received onabotulinumtoxinA from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016. Average ± SD age was 61.7 ± 16.3 years and 82.7% of the patients were female. Sacral neuromodulation implantation led to re-intervention in 15.8% of cases within 1 year and in 26.1% at 3 years. In this comparative analysis patients who received onabotulinumtoxinA therapy were at higher risk for urinary tract infection, hematuria, urinary retention and an emergency room visit compared to those treated with sacral neuromodulation. The overall cost of onabotulinumtoxinA was lower than the cost of the sacral neuromodulation device (cost at 1 year $2,896 vs $15,343 and at 3 years $3,454 vs $16,189, each p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sacral neuromodulation implantation was more expensive than onabotulinumtoxinA injection. However, patients who underwent sacral neuromodulation had a lower complication rate than patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA. A quality improvement collective database must be created to track information on onabotulinumtoxinA and sacral neuromodulation treatment. This would help generate better performance and comparative data for patient and physician decision making.

To stage or not to stage?-A cost minimization analysis of sacral neuromodulation placement strategies.

AIMS: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a standard therapy for refractory overactive bladder (OAB). Traditionally, SNM placement involves placement of an S3 lead with 1-3 weeks of testing before considering a permanent implant. Given the potential risk of bacterial contamination during testing and high success rates published by some experts, we compared the costs of traditional 2-stage against single-stage SNM placement for OAB. METHODS: We performed a cost minimization analysis using published data on 2-stage SNM success rates, SNM infection rates, and direct reimbursements from Medicare for 2017. We compared the costs associated with a 2-stage vs single-stage approach. We performed sensitivity analyses of the primary variables listed above to assess where threshold values occurred and used separate models for freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) and outpatient hospital departments (OHD). RESULTS: Based on published literature, our base case assumed a 69% SNM success rate, a 5% 2-stage approach infection rate, a 1.7% single-stage approach infection rate, and removal of 50% of non-working single-stage SNMs. In both ASC ($17 613 vs $18 194) and OHD ($19 832 vs $21 181) settings, single-stage SNM placement was less costly than 2-stage placement. The minimum SNM success rates to achieve savings with a single-stage approach occur at 65.4% and 61.3% for ASC and OHD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using Medicare reimbursement, single-stage SNM placement is likely to be less costly than 2-stage placement for most practitioners. The savings are tied to SNM success rates and reimbursement rates, with reduced costs up to $5014 per case in centers of excellence (≥ 90% success).

Impact of Coexisting Overactive Bladder in Medicare Patients With Dementia on Clinical and Economic Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with dementia commonly suffer from symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB); however, limited research exists on the clinical impact of coexisting OAB among patients with dementia. As such, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of OAB on clinical outcomes, health-care resource use, and associated costs among patients with dementia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with dementia using 3861 matched pairs of patients with and without OAB. Analyses were based on administrative claims data from January 1, 2007, to September 30, 2015, and compared clinical outcomes, health services use, and associated costs. RESULTS: Patients with dementia and OAB were more likely than those without OAB to have least one fall (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.68, P < .001), fracture (IRR: 1.23, 95% CI, 1.05-1.44, P = .008), combined fall/fracture (IRR: 1.25, 95% CI, 1.11-1.42, P < .001), or urinary tract infection (IRR: 2.75, 95% CI, 2.55-2.96, P < .001). Patients with dementia and OAB demonstrated greater utilization of all-cause encounter types compared to similar patients without coexisting OAB (P < .01). All-cause and dementia-related total health-care costs were approximately 23% (95% CI, 0.19-0.28, P < .001) and 13% (95% CI, 0.05-0.20, P = .001), respectively, greater than similar patients without coexisting OAB. CONCLUSION: Coexisting OAB was associated with impacts on clinical outcomes, health-care resource utilization, and costs in patients with dementia.

Health and functional status, health events, use of healthcare services and costs associated with overactive bladder among the medically complex vulnerable elderly in the US.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) among medically complex vulnerable elderly (MCVE) patients in the United States and to compare health status measures, functional status, healthcare events, use of healthcare services and costs between MCVE patients with and without OAB. METHODS: Using the 2001-2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys, we defined the MCVE as those respondents who were ≥65 years old with scores ≥3 on the Vulnerable Elders Survey-13. OAB diagnosis codes or self-reported use of antimuscarinic medications were used to identify MCVE individuals with OAB. Multiple regression analyses were used to estimate the adjusted relationship between OAB and the outcome measures. RESULTS: The annual prevalence of OAB among the MCVE increased from 9.6% in 2001 to 13.5% in 2010. MCVE individuals with OAB were more likely to have experienced falls or fractures (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.0), urinary tract infections (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 3.5-5.4), institutionalization (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4-2.5), limitations in activity of daily living (ADL) (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) and instrumental ADL (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0), hospital admission (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0) and emergency department admissions (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0) than those without OAB. MCVE individuals with OAB incurred, on average, $7188 (2013 dollars) more in healthcare costs than those without OAB. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OAB in the MCVE population increased over time. OAB is associated with substantial clinical and economic burden. Further research is warranted to understand whether better management of the MCVE population with OAB may reduce healthcare resource use.

Cost-effectiveness of overactive bladder treatments: from the US payer perspective.

AIM: To assess the cost-effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA), implantable sacral nerve stimulation devices, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, anticholinergic medications and mirabegron compared with best supportive care (BSC) for management of refractory overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: A Markov model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of treatment options with BSC over a 10-year time horizon. Resource utilization, discontinuation rates and costs were derived from unpublished and published sources. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were reported. RESULTS: Treatment with onabotA 100U produced the largest gain in QALYs (7.179) and lowest estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($32,680/QALY) of all assessed treatments compared with BSC. CONCLUSION: Compared with BSC, onabotA 100U was the most cost-effective treatment option for patients with refractory OAB.

The Direct and Indirect Costs Associated With Overactive Bladder Within a Commercially-Insured Population in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the burden associated with overactive bladder (OAB) within a commercially-insured United States (US) population. METHODS: Adults with OAB identified from the MarketScan databases (2008 to 2013) were propensity score matched 1:1 to non-OAB controls. Per-patient-per-month (PPPM) direct healthcare costs, and indirect costs attributable to workplace absence and short-term disability (STD), were estimated. RESULTS: Adjusted PPPM healthcare costs were higher for OAB patients than matched controls for both direct costs ($3003 vs $1123; P < 0.0001) and indirect costs due to STD ($114 vs $98; P < 0.05). There was no difference in the indirect costs due to absence between the OAB cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The direct healthcare costs of OAB patients are substantial. Additional research is needed to quantify the impact of OAB on workplace productivity. Improved management of OAB symptoms may reduce costs and enhance patient quality of life.

Review of Economic Value Drivers of the Treatment of Overactive Bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom-driven condition with economic burden estimated to be on the order of several hundred dollars or euros per patient in some North American and European countries. This work reviews recently published economic models to evaluate how health states are defined, what cost components are considered, and what utility values are used to estimate the cost effectiveness of OAB pharmacotherapies, botulinum toxin, or sacral neuromodulation. It was found that no clear standard exists for determining OAB health states, although most were defined by some measure of incontinence frequency. Costs of physician visits and incontinence pads were included in nearly all models; however, OAB-associated depression and nursing home costs were rarely included, despite being large cost drivers of global economic burden studies. Utility values used in the models ranged from 0.544 to 0.933, highlighting the uncertainty associated with how OAB patients value health-related quality of life. More research is warranted so that health states providing delineations among OAB symptom severity and quality of life are clinically and economically meaningful as well as meaningful to affected patients.

Management of Idiopathic Overactive Bladder Syndrome: What Is the Optimal Strategy After Failure of Conservative Treatment?

CONTEXT: A considerable number of patients affected by the overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) do not respond to pharmacotherapy and bladder training due to unsatisfactory response or intolerability. OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature assessing therapeutic effect of the available third-line treatment modalities for OAB. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases were searched for all studies comparing outcomes of the available third-line treatment modalities for OAB. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Several minimally invasive surgical procedures are available for patients with refractory OAB. These therapies include intravesical botulinum toxin type A, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, and sacral neuromodulation. CONCLUSIONS: None of the mentioned therapeutic modalities shows strong superiority over another. If the results of one therapy are not satisfactory, switching to another third-line treatment can be attempted. The treatment algorithm is dependent on several factors, including age, comorbidity, patient preference, surgical expertise, and financial concerns. All these factors should be taken into consideration before initiation of treatment. PATIENT SUMMARY: In the management of drug-resistant overactive bladder syndrome, the different minimally invasive treatments that are available are equal. If the results of one therapy are not satisfactory, switching to another treatment can be attempted. The treatment algorithm is dependent on several factors, including age, comorbidity, patient preference, surgical expertise, and financial concerns.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of Onabotulinumtoxin A as first-line treatment for overactive bladder.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To determine if Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox®) should be offered as a first-line therapy for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), even before prescribing anticholinergics. METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis modeling the following clinical options: no treatment, non-selective anticholinergics, selective anticholinergics, and Botox®. The model timeframe was 2 years to allow Botox® reinjection and discontinuation of anticholinergics. Multiple efficacy levels included response improvement by < 50%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Botox® reinjection was allowed at 6 months if < 50% efficacy. Botox® complications and anticholinergic side effects were noted. We modeled up to one medication switch. No crossover from Botox® to anticholinergics or vice versa was allowed, and failures remained with refractory untreated overactive bladder. Medical literature data were used for model parameter values. Costs are 2016 $US. RESULTS: Botox® costs more than non-selective anticholinergics and less than selective anticholinergics in models with and without refractory overactive bladder costs. Botox® had the highest effectiveness (1.763 quality-adjusted life years). Using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, Botox® was found to be cost-effective in models with and without refractory costs ($12,428.75 and $14,437.01, respectively). In both models, Botox® cost less and was more effective than selective anticholinergics, which were "dominated." Over 2 years, subjects averaged 15.6 and 14.3 months on selective and non-selective anticholinergics, respectively, and patients averaged 2.2 Botox® injections. Model results were unchanged with variation of input parameter estimates in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Botox® is a cost-effective therapy for overactive bladder and should be further explored as a first-line option in the treatment paradigm.

Is it Safe to Reduce Water Intake in the Overactive Bladder Population? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Overactive bladder imposes a significant socioeconomic burden on the health care system. It is a commonly held belief that increased fluid intake (8 glasses of water per day) is beneficial for health. However, increased fluid intake exacerbates overactive bladder symptoms. Thus, it is imperative that clinicians appropriately educate patients for whom increased water intake may be detrimental (women with overactive bladder), in contrast to patients with comorbidities that necessitate increased water intake (nephrolithiasis). We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the potential health advantages of increased water intake and identify specific subpopulations that need increased hydration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed published articles from 1972 through 2017 on PubMed® and the Cochrane Library. The data were reviewed independently by 2 individuals. Studies were included if they explored water intake in relation to the risk of a particular disease. RESULTS: Level 1 evidence supported increased fluid intake in patients with nephrolithiasis. There was no available evidence to support increased fluid intake in patients with cardiovascular disease, constipation, venous thromboembolism, headaches, cognitive function or bladder cancer. Dehydration may exacerbate some conditions, specifically chronic constipation and headache intensity. Increased fluid intake may have a role in preventing stroke recurrence but not in preventing primary stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The available reviewed literature suggests no benefit to drinking 8 glasses of water per day in patients without nephrolithiasis. Also, excess fluid intake can exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder.

The economic burden of overactive bladder (OAB) and its effects on the costs associated with other chronic, age-related comorbidities in the United States.

AIMS: The prevalence of OAB increases with age and is associated with several chronic comorbidities. However, the impact of OAB on the healthcare costs of patients with such comorbidities is not well-understood. This study aimed to quantify the impact of OAB on healthcare costs and assess the potential moderating effects of OAB on the costs of patients with chronic comorbidities. METHODS: Adults with evidence of OAB/OAB-related therapy between 1/1/2008-12/31/2013 were identified from two large, administrative claims databases. Per-patient-per-month (PPPM) expenditures for OAB cases were estimated and compared to those of propensity score-matched subjects without OAB. Costs were modeled using ordinary least squares regression including main effects and interactions of chronic depression, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis with OAB. Values for the comparisons were calculated on the original dollar scale using smearing estimators. RESULTS: A total of 110 059 pairs of OAB cases and matched non-OAB controls were identified. The mean, multivariable-adjusted, PPPM all-cause costs of OAB cases from the model without interactions were $3003, compared to $1123 for matched controls (P < 0.0001). In the model assessing the interactions of chronic comorbidities with OAB, those OAB patients with comorbid depression, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis incurred significantly higher costs than controls with these comorbidities. The synergistic effect of these interactions was estimated to be $95-$574 PPPM. CONCLUSIONS: Within this US-based population, the healthcare costs of OAB patients were more than 2.5 times those of similar patients without OAB. Additionally, patients with OAB and chronic, age-related comorbidities incurred higher healthcare costs than non-OAB controls with the same comorbidities.