In a nutshell
This study looked at medication given with electrical stimulation or bladder training for treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). It concluded that the medication was better with stimulation or training, than given alone.
Some background
Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a sudden, frequent urge to urinate. It may result in urge incontinence (inability to hold on to urine). OAB urination is emptying of the bladder usually eight or more times a day and two or more times at night. OAB can have a negative impact on quality of life. OAB can occur more often in women. Medications can be taken to calm the muscles and nerves which cause OAB.
Sometimes, medications are not entirely effective for OAB. When this happens, medications can be given in combination with another treatment. These are treatments like electrical stimulation or bladder training. Electrical stimulation aims to stimulate muscles of the bladder. These muscles are affected in OAB. Bladder training also strengthens bladder muscles. A common medication given for OAB is cholinergic antagonists (CA). These aim to relax the bladder muscles.
Methods & findings
Database searches were performed. 10 studies were found. These studies looked at CA given alone to treat OAB or CA given in combination with electrical stimulation or bladder training. 485 women had combination treatment and 497 women had only CA. These patients were assessed for how often they urinated, incontinence (not being able to hold onto urine) and urination urgency.
In the studies comparing CA and CA given with electrical stimulation combination therapy, those having combination therapy had better results. Those having CA and electrical stimulation urinated 2.38 less times per day, had 1.32 times less urinary incontinence and 0.87 less urinary urgency, versus taking CA alone.
In studies comparing CA alone or in combination with bladder training, those on combination therapy had better results than those taking CA only. How often patients urinated decreased by 0.3 times in the bladder training and CA group, versus the CA only group.
The bottom line
This study concluded that CA given with electrical stimulation or bladder training was better than CA treatment alone to treat women who had OAB.
The fine print
Only 2 studies looking at bladder training and CA were included. This may affect this study's results.
What’s next?
If you are interested in learning more about CA and electrical stimulation or bladder training for OAB, contact your doctor.
Published By :
Clinical drug investigation
Date :
Oct 01, 2016
