Scott MacDiarmid

Randomized Trial of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation Versus Extended-Release Tolterodine: Results From the Overactive Bladder Innovative Therapy Trial

PURPOSE The Overactive Bladder Innovative Therapy trial was a randomized, multicenter, controlled study that compared the effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation to extended-release tolterodine. The reduction in overactive bladder symptoms along with global response assessments was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 adults with urinary frequency were randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of treatment with weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation or to 4 mg daily extended-release tolterodine. Voiding diaries and an overactive bladder questionnaire were completed at baseline and at the end of therapy to compare 24-hour voiding frequency, urinary urge incontinence episodes, voids causing waking, volume voided, urgency episodes and quality of life indices. Global response assessments were completed by subjects and investigators after 12 weeks of therapy. RESULTS The global response assessment demonstrated that subject assessment of overactive bladder symptoms compared to baseline was statistically significant in the percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation arm with 79.5% reporting cure or improvement compared to 54.8% of subjects on tolterodine (p = 0.01). Assessments by investigators were similar but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.05). After 12 weeks of therapy objective measures improved similarly in both groups for reductions in urinary frequency, urge urinary incontinence episodes, urge severity and nighttime voids, as well as for improvement in voided volume. There were no serious adverse events or device malfunctions. CONCLUSIONS This multicenter, randomized trial demonstrates that percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is safe with statistically significant improvements in patient assessment of overactive bladder symptoms, and with objective effectiveness comparable to that of pharmacotherapy. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation may be considered a clinically significant alternative therapy for overactive bladder.

Randomized Trial of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation Versus Sham Efficacy in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome: Results From the SUmiT Trial

PURPOSE The Study of Urgent PC vs Sham Effectiveness in Treatment of Overactive Bladder Symptoms (SUmiT) was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation to sham through 12 weeks of therapy. The improvement in global response assessment, voiding diary parameters, and overactive bladder and quality of life questionnaires was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 220 adults with overactive bladder symptoms were randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of treatment with weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation or sham therapy. Overactive bladder and quality of life questionnaires as well as 3-day voiding diaries were completed at baseline and at 13 weeks. Subject global response assessments were completed at week 13. RESULTS The 13-week subject global response assessment for overall bladder symptoms demonstrated that percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation subjects achieved statistically significant improvement in bladder symptoms with 54.5% reporting moderately or markedly improved responses compared to 20.9% of sham subjects from baseline (p <0.001). All individual global response assessment subset symptom components demonstrated statistically significant improvement from baseline to 13 weeks for percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation compared to sham. Voiding diary parameters after 12 weeks of therapy showed percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation subjects had statistically significant improvements in frequency, nighttime voids, voids with moderate to severe urgency and urinary urge incontinence episodes compared to sham. No serious device related adverse events or malfunctions were reported. CONCLUSIONS This pivotal multicenter, double-blind, randomized, sham controlled trial provides level I evidence that percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation therapy is safe and effective in treating overactive bladder symptoms. The compelling efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation demonstrated in this trial is consistent with other recently published reports and supports the use of peripheral neuromodulation therapy for overactive bladder.

OnabotulinumtoxinA 100 U significantly improves all idiopathic overactive bladder symptoms and quality of life in patients with overactive bladder and urinary incontinence: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome with urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent in the population and impairs health-related quality of life (HRQOL). OBJECTIVE To assess the impact on efficacy, safety, and HRQOL of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX(®), Allergan, Inc.) treatment in patients with OAB with UI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This pivotal, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study enrolled patients with idiopathic OAB with ≥ 3 urgency UI episodes over 3 d and ≥ 8 micturitions per day who were inadequately managed by anticholinergics. INTERVENTION OnabotulinumtoxinA at a 100U dose (n=277) or placebo (n=271), administered as 20 intradetrusor injections of 0.5 ml. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Co-primary end points were change from baseline in the number of UI episodes per day and proportion of patients reporting positive treatment response on the treatment benefit scale (TBS) at week 12. Additional end points included other OAB symptoms (episodes of urinary urgency incontinence, micturition, urgency, and nocturia) and HRQOL (Incontinence Quality of Life [I-QOL], Kings Health Questionnaire [KHQ]). Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs), postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, and initiation of clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS OnabotulinumtoxinA significantly decreased UI episodes per day at week 12 (-2.95 for onabotulinumtoxinA versus -1.03 for placebo; p<0.001). Reductions from baseline in all other OAB symptoms were also significantly greater following onabotulinumtoxinA compared with placebo (p ≤ 0.01). Patients perceived a significant improvement in their condition, as measured by patients with a positive treatment response on the TBS (62.8% for onabotulinumtoxinA versus 26.8% for placebo; p<0.001). Clinically meaningful improvements from baseline in all I-QOL and KHQ multi-item domains (p<0.001 versus placebo) indicated positive impact on HRQOL. AEs were mainly localised to the urinary tract. Mean PVR was higher in the onabotulinumtoxinA group (46.9 ml versus 10.1 ml at week 2; p<0.001); 6.9% of onabotulinumtoxinA patients versus 0.7% of placebo patients initiated CIC. CONCLUSIONS OnabotulinumtoxinA 100 U was well tolerated and demonstrated significant and clinically relevant improvements in all OAB symptoms, patient-reported benefit, and HRQOL in patients inadequately managed by anticholinergics. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00910520.

Long-term durability of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for the treatment of overactive bladder.

PURPOSE The Overactive Bladder Innovative Therapy Trial during phase 1 was a randomized trial demonstrating comparable effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and extended-release tolterodine during 12 weeks of therapy for frequency, nocturia, urgency, voided volume and urge incontinence episodes. In this second phase of the Overactive Bladder Innovative Therapy Trial we assessed the sustained therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in subjects with overactive bladder during 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS After 12 weeks subjects randomized to weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation with Urgent((R)) PC were offered an additional 9 months of treatment with assessments at 6 and 12 months from baseline. Outcome measures included voiding diary data, overactive bladder questionnaires, global response assessments and safety assessments. RESULTS A total of 33 percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation responders continued therapy with 32 and 25 subjects completing 6 and 12 months of therapy, respectively. Subjects received a mean of 12.1 treatments during an average of 263 days, with a mean of 21 days (median 17) between treatments. Subject global response assessments showed sustained improvement from 12 weeks at 6 and 12 months, with 94% and 96% of responders, respectively. At 12 months mean improvements from baseline included a frequency of 2.8 voids daily (p <0.001), urge incontinence of 1.6 episodes daily (p <0.001), nocturia with 0.8 voids (p <0.05) and a voided volume of 39 cc (p <0.05). Overactive bladder questionnaire symptom severity was significantly improved from 12 weeks to 12 months (p <0.01) as well as from 6 to 12 months (p <0.01). No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS Statistically significant overactive bladder symptom improvement achieved with 12 weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation treatments demonstrates excellent durability through 12 months. The durability of response demonstrates the effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation as a viable, long-term therapy for overactive bladder.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for the long-term treatment of overactive bladder: 3-year results of the STEP study.

PURPOSE We report the long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation with the Urgent® PC Neuromodulation System for overactive bladder after 3 years of therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty participants in the randomized, double-blind SUmiT (Sham Effectiveness in Treatment of Overactive Bladder Symptoms) Trial who met the primary effectiveness end point after 12 weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation treatments were enrolled in this prospective study to assess long-term outcomes with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. STEP (Sustained Therapeutic Effects of Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation) Study patients were prescribed a fixed schedule 14-week tapering protocol followed by a personal treatment plan aimed at sustaining overactive bladder symptom improvement. Overactive bladder and quality of life questionnaires were completed every 3 months and 3-day voiding diaries were completed every 6 months. RESULTS A total of 29 patients completed the 36-month protocol and received a median of 1.1 treatments per month after a 14-week treatment tapering protocol. A Bayesian model estimated that 77% (95% CI 64-90) of patients maintained moderate or marked improvement in overactive bladder symptoms at 3 years. Compared to baseline, median voids per day decreased from 12.0 (IQR 10.3-13.7) to 8.7 (IQR 7.3-11.3), nighttime voids per night decreased from 2.7 (IQR 1.7-3.3) to 1.7 (IQR 1.0-2.7) and urge incontinence episodes per day decreased from 3.3 (IQR 0.7-6.0) to 0.3 (IQR 0.0-1.0) (all p <0.0001). All quality of life parameters remained markedly improved from baseline through 3 years (all p <0.0001). One patient experienced 2 mild treatment related adverse events of bleeding at the needle site during followup. CONCLUSIONS Most STEP participants with an initial positive response to 12 weekly percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation treatments safely sustained overactive bladder symptom improvement to 3 years with an average of 1 treatment per month.

Efficacy and safety of oxybutynin chloride topical gel for overactive bladder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter study.

PURPOSE We assessed the efficacy and safety of oxybutynin chloride topical gel vs placebo in adults with overactive bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Men and women 18 years or older with urge predominant urinary incontinence were enrolled in randomized, parallel group, double-blind, placebo controlled Study OG05009 done at 76 clinics in the United States. Eligible patients were assigned to receive 1 gm oxybutynin chloride topical gel (10% weight per weight ethanol based formulation of oxybutynin) or matching placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using data from 3-day urinary diaries and the primary outcome was the change from baseline in the number of urge incontinence episodes. Safety was monitored through adverse event reporting. Efficacy results in the oxybutynin chloride topical gel and placebo groups were compared by ANCOVA with last observations carried forward. RESULTS A total of 789 randomized patients, including 704 women (89.2%), with a mean age of 59 years were assigned to treatment with oxybutynin chloride topical gel (389) or placebo (400). The mean number of urge incontinence episodes decreased significantly more in patients treated with oxybutynin chloride topical gel than in those given placebo (-3.0 vs -2.5 per day, p <0.0001). Mean urinary frequency decreased (-2.7 per day, p = 0.0017) and voided volume increased (21.0 ml, p = 0.0018) significantly more in the oxybutynin chloride group than in the placebo group (-2.0 per day and 3.8 ml, respectively). Treatment related dry mouth was more frequent in the oxybutynin chloride group than in the placebo group (27 of 389 patients or 6.9% vs 11 of 400 or 2.8%). Application site reactions were infrequently observed in the oxybutynin chloride and placebo groups (21 of 389 patients or 5.4% and 4 of 400 or 1.0%, respectively). No serious treatment related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS Oxybutynin chloride topical gel was efficacious in improving overactive bladder symptoms and was well tolerated in adult patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Extended-Release Oxybutynin in Combination With Tamsulosin for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of extended-release oxybutynin in combination with the alpha1-blocker tamsulosin in reducing lower urinary tract symptoms in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this multicenter, double-blind trial performed between March 29, 2004, and June 22, 2005, 420 men aged 45 years or older with a total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 13 or more and IPSS for storage of 8 or more were randomized to receive tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d) with either extended-release oxybutynin (10 mg/d) or placebo for 12 weeks. Eligibility requirements included a maximum flow rate of 8 mL/s or more with voided volume of 125 mL or more and a postvoid residual volume of 150 mL or less on 2 occasions. Postvoid residual volume and peak flow rates at weeks 4, 8, and 12 were measured. The primary end point was change from baseline in total IPSS after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes included change in IPSSs for storage and quality of life. RESULTS Tamsulosin combined with extended-release oxybutynin resulted in significantly greater improvement in total IPSS compared with tamsulosin and placebo after 8 (P=.03) and 12 (P=.006) weeks of treatment, and improved IPSS for storage and quality of life at all assessment points (P<.01). The incidence of postvoid residual volume higher than 300 mL was 2.9% (6/209) in patients receiving combination therapy compared with 0.5% (1/209) in patients receiving tamsulosin alone (P=.12). Occurrence of peak flow rates below 5 mL/s was 3.8% (8/209) for combination therapy and 5.7% (12/209) for tamsulosin alone (P=.49). CONCLUSION In men with substantial storage symptoms, combination therapy with tamsulosin and extended-release oxybutynin demonstrated greater efficacy than and comparable safety and tolerability to tamsulosin monotherapy.

A practical guide to the evaluation and treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms in the primary care setting

Aims:  Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in both men and women, and are among the most prevalent patient complaints heard by primary care physicians (PCPs). This article aims to provide PCPs with a logical algorithm for the assessment and initiation of treatment for LUTS in the male patient.

Efficacy and Safety of Mirabegron Add-on Therapy to Solifenacin in Incontinent Overactive Bladder Patients with an Inadequate Response to Initial 4-Week Solifenacin Monotherapy: A Randomised Double-blind Multicentre Phase 3B Study (BESIDE)

BACKGROUND Incontinence has a greater detrimental effect on quality of life than other symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and is often difficult to treat with antimuscarinic monotherapy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and the safety and tolerability of combination (solifenacin 5mg and mirabegron 50mg) versus solifenacin 5 or 10mg in OAB patients remaining incontinent after 4 wk of solifenacin 5mg. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS OAB patients remaining incontinent despite daily solifenacin 5mg during 4-wk single-blind run-in were randomised 1:1:1 to double-blind daily combination or solifenacin 5 or 10mg for 12 wk. Patients receiving the combination were initiated on mirabegron 25mg increasing to 50mg after week 4. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The primary end point was a change from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) in the mean number of incontinence episodes per 24h (stratified rank analysis of covariance [ANCOVA]). Key secondary end points were a change from baseline to EOT in the mean number of micturitions per 24h (ANCOVA) and number of incontinence episodes noted in a 3-d diary at EOT (mixed-effects Poisson regression). A trial (BESIDE) comparing combination treatment (solifenacin plus mirabegron) with one treatment alone (solifenacin) tested the superiority of combination versus solifenacin 5mg, noninferiority (and potential superiority) of combination versus solifenacin 10mg (key secondary end points), and the safety and tolerability of combination therapy versus solifenacin monotherapy. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS A total of 2174 patients were randomised to combination (n=727), solifenacin 5mg (n=728), or solifenacin 10mg (n=719). At EOT, combination was superior to solifenacin 5mg, with significant improvements in daily incontinence (p=0.001), daily micturitions (p<0.001), and incontinence noted in a 3-d diary (p=0.014). Combination was noninferior to solifenacin 10mg for key secondary end points and superior to solifenacin 10mg for improving daily micturitions. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Adding mirabegron 50mg to solifenacin 5mg further improved OAB symptoms versus solifenacin 5 or 10mg, and it was well tolerated in OAB patients remaining incontinent after initial solifenacin 5mg. PATIENT SUMMARY In this 12-wk study, overactive bladder patients who remained incontinent despite initial solifenacin 5mg treatment received additional treatment with mirabegron 50mg. Combining mirabegron 50mg with solifenacin 5mg was superior to solifenacin 5mg alone in improving symptoms of incontinence and frequent urination, and it was well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01908829.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Fesoterodine in Men With Overactive Bladder: A Pooled Analysis of 2 Phase III Studies

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg in men with overactive bladder. METHODS This was a subanalysis of pooled data from 358 men enrolled in 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trials. Subjects with frequency and urgency or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) were randomized to fesoterodine 4 mg, fesoterodine 8 mg, or placebo for 12 weeks. Efficacy endpoints included bladder diary variables and subject-reported treatment response. RESULTS By week 12, men treated with fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg had significantly greater median percentage improvements in micturition frequency, urgency episodes, and UUI episodes versus placebo and significantly greater percentages reported a treatment response versus placebo. Significant increases in mean voided volume (MVV) per micturition versus placebo occurred with fesoterodine 8 mg only. At week 12, fesoterodine 8 mg was significantly more efficacious than fesoterodine 4 mg in improving UUI episodes and MVV per micturition. The most commonly reported adverse events with fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg were dry mouth (12.5% and 37.7% vs 5.6% with placebo) and constipation (2.5% and 8.8% vs 0.8% with placebo). Symptoms suggestive of urinary retention were reported in 0.8%, 0.8%, and 5.3% of men in the placebo, fesoterodine 4 mg, and fesoterodine 8 mg groups, respectively; only 1 subject, in the fesoterodine 8 mg group, was catheterized. CONCLUSIONS Fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg are generally safe, efficacious, and well tolerated for the treatment of overactive bladder symptoms in men. The 8 mg dose provides additional benefit and allows for treatment individualization.