[Neurogenic or idiopathic destrusor overactivity after failed antimuscarinic treatment : clinical value of external temporary electrostimulation]

Abstract

Antimuscarinic drugs are regarded as the standard treatment of detrusor overactivity (DO). However, side effects and lack of efficacy cause patients to discontinue long-term therapy. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of functional external electrostimulation (FES) as "second-line" therapy in patients with symptomatic idiopathic or neurogenic DO.In a retrospective study, 52 patients (38 women and 14 men) were evaluated at least 1 year after FES. Eighteen patients (32.7%) regarded FES as successful. No change occurred in 34 patients (65.4%) and 1 patient reported worsening of symptoms. Treatment success lasted for 13.2 months. In successfully treated patients, voiding frequency was significantly reduced from 13.3/24 h to 6.1/24 h under FES and to 6.75/24 h at follow-up. FES is a clinically useful, well-tolerated, conservative second-line treatment option after failed antimuscarinic treatment in patients with idiopathic or neurogenic DO.