Can SBD treatment help improve symptoms of overactive bladder?

This study evaluated the outcomes of nerve inactivation treatment in women with overactive bladder. This study concluded that this treatment is effective for most patients.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is characterized by a sudden need or urge to urinate. One of the most common symptoms is urinary incontinence (UI), or leakage of urine. This may be accompanied by strong urges to urinate (urge urinary incontinence; UUI). Nerves in the bladder may send the urgency sensation, so inactivating these nerves may help reduce UUI.

Selective bladder denervation (SBD) uses radiofrequency waves to burn these nerves. This procedure involves placing a device in the urethra. This device contains electrodes that apply heat to a small area of nerves involved in sending urgency signals. This inactivates the nerves. Whether SBD is safe and effective over the long-term for patients with OAB is unclear.

This study enrolled 35 women with OAB. Patients had an average of 4.5 episodes of UUI per day and felt a sudden urge to go to the bathroom at an average of 8.7 times per day. In this study, patients received SBD treatment. The average follow-up was 1 year.

A few hours after the procedure, patients reported mild pain (3.0 points out of 10). Within 3 days, pain decreased to 1.1 points. By 5 days, pain further decreased to 0.7 points.

At follow-up, UUI was significantly improved, with an average of 68% fewer daily episodes. UI also significantly improved, with an average of 67% fewer daily episodes. The number of times patients went to the bathroom with a sense of urgency also significantly dropped by 43%.

72% of patients said their symptoms were improved or greatly improved. Women had a similar amount of improvement regardless of how frequently they had urgency or UUI before the procedure.

Overall, 17% (6 patients) reported side effects 1 year later. Two patients reported having a temporary burning sensation when going to the bathroom. UTI and vaginitis (itching or pain due to unusual vaginal bacteria) were also reported (1 patient each). One patient developed a blockage of the ureter (the tube from the kidney to the bladder), a serious complication. This was successfully treated with antibiotics and a stent procedure.

This study concluded that SBD might be an effective treatment for overactive bladder in women whose symptoms have not responded to medication.

This study had a small number of patients, so rare complications may not have been observed during the study. Larger studies with a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.