The responsiveness of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the responsiveness of the Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OAB-q) during anti-muscarinic treatment.

Methods: OAB patients were treated with tolterodine ER 4 mg/day for 12 weeks. The OAB-q and 3-day micturition diaries were collected at baseline, 4, and 12 weeks. The patients' and physicians' perceptions of treatment benefit were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks. Responsiveness of the OAB-q was examined with effect sizes and comparisons to other measures using ANOVAs, t-tests, and correlations.

Results: A total of 865 patients completed the 12-week study (mean age 61 years; 73% female; 89% Caucasian). From baseline to 4 weeks, significant improvements (p < 0.0001) occurred in all OAB-q subscales, which were maintained through week 12. The OAB-q was highly responsive with subscale effect sizes ranging from 0.44 (social interaction) to 1.2 (symptom bother). Significant score changes in all OAB-q subscales (p < 0.05) were associated with reductions of > or = 3 urgency episodes, > or = 3 micturitions, or > or = 1 incontinence episode per day. Improvements in OAB-q scales were associated with changes in patient and physician perceptions of treatment benefit.

Conclusions: The OAB-q was highly responsive and demonstrated responsiveness to reductions in urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence during antimuscarinic treatment of OAB. The OAB-q appears to be a useful outcome measure for treatments of OAB.