Botulinum-A Toxin's efficacy in the treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder

Abstract

The systematic literature review was carried out to point out the efficacy of botulinum type A toxin (BTX-A) intra-detrusor injections in adults with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). A PubMed search for clinical studies with BTX-A intra-detrusor injections in adults with OAB was performed.The studies showed improvements in quality of life by relieving symptoms (decreased urinary frequency, urgency episodes, incontinence and nocturia). Randomised controlled trials conducted in the preceding two years showed complete continence in patients treated with BTX-A in 22.9% to 55% cases. Following treatment, most studies showed an increase in post-void residual volume, a fact that may lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urinary retention requiring catheterisation. BTX-A is an effective treatment for OAB and results in a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.