Combined effects of behavioral intervention and tolterodine in patients dissatisfied with overactive bladder medication

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed the effect of tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention on treatment satisfaction and bladder diary variables in patients with overactive bladder who had been previously treated and were dissatisfied with tolterodine or other antimuscarinics.

Materials and methods: This 16-week, multicenter, open label study included eligible patients 18 years old or older who reported overactive bladder symptoms 3 months or greater in duration, 8 or greater micturitions and 2 or greater urgency related micturitions per 24 hours, and 1 or greater urgency urinary incontinence episodes in a 5-day bladder diary at baseline as well as dissatisfaction with prior antimuscarinic medication. Patients received tolterodine extended release plus self-administered behavioral intervention, consisting of an educational pamphlet with verbal reinforcement, for 8 weeks. Satisfied patients continued with this therapy and dissatisfied patients received tolterodine extended release plus individualized behavioral intervention, consisting of in-depth interaction with a clinician to refine behavioral techniques, for 8 weeks thereafter. Patients rated treatment satisfaction at weeks 8 and 16, and completed a 5-day bladder diary at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16, respectively.

Results: At weeks 8 and 16, 346 and 357 patients or 91% of the total cohort reported being at least a little satisfied with tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention, including 201 (53%) and 252 (64%), respectively, who were very satisfied. Of the 33 patients who were dissatisfied at week 8, 25 (76%) reported treatment satisfaction at week 16 after individualized behavioral intervention. Compared with baseline all bladder diary variables were significantly improved by week 4 (p <0.0001). Patients who were dissatisfied with prior tolterodine or other antimuscarinic treatment reported similar results.

Conclusions: Tolterodine extended release plus behavioral intervention resulted in high treatment satisfaction and improved bladder diary variables in patients who had previously been treated and were dissatisfied with tolterodine or other antimuscarinics.