Treatment options for overactive bladder (OAB)
The treatment of OAB is aimed at reducing symptoms to improve patients’ overall quality of life.
Treatments for OAB include:6
- Lifestyle interventions
- Containment
- Pharmacotherapy
- Botulinum toxin type A
- Posterior tibial nerve stimulation
- Sacral nerve stimulation
- Surgery
Lifestyle interventions for OAB include weight reduction, reduced caffeine intake, bladder training, modified fluid intake and pelvic floor muscle training.6
Containment approaches for OAB include temporary urinary containment products (such as absorbent pads, waterproof pants and external sheaths) and intermittent self-catheterisation.6
Anticholinergics are the most widely used treatment for OAB but can be associated with high rates of treatment discontinuation, mainly due to lack of efficacy and side effects.7-10 The beta-3 adrenergic agonist mirabegron is an option for patients who stop using anticholinergics.6 For patients in whom oral therapy is not effective, options include botulinum toxin type A, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, sacral neuromodulation and surgery.7-10
Electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve delivers electrical stimuli to the sacral micturition centre. Typically, the posterior tibial nerve is stimulated with a fine, 34-G needle, inserted just above the ankle. Treatment cycles typically consist of once-weekly treatments of 30 minutes for a total of 12 weeks.10
Sacral nerve stimulation
The goal of sacral nerve stimulation is to rebalance micturition via electrical stimulation of the sacral nerve roots.11,12
Cystoplasty/urinary diversion
Urinary diversion involves the creation of a new bladder outlet with a valve for urinary continence, which is catheterised to empty. No studies have specifically examined this technique in non-neurogenic urinary incontinence.10
Augmentation cystoplasty involves grafting a detached segment of intestine to enlarge the bladder. Associated with high risks of short-term and long-term severe complications.10
Botulinum toxin type A
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends bladder wall injection with botulinum toxin type A as an option:6
- For women with OAB caused by detrusor overactivity that has not responded to non-surgical management, including pharmacological treatments.
- For women with symptoms of OAB in whom urodynamic investigation has not demonstrated detrusor overactivity, if the symptoms have not responded to non-surgical management and the woman does not wish to have other invasive treatments.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines recommend botulinum toxin type A and BOTOX® as an option for patients with urge urinary incontinence that is refractory to conservative therapy. Patients should be counselled on the limited duration of response, risk of urinary tract infections and the possible prolonged need to self-catheterise.10
OAB is a complex, multi-symptom syndrome that can be difficult to treat13
OAB: overactive bladder.
Please refer to the BOTOX® Summary of Product Characteristics for further information on adverse events, contraindications and special warnings and precautions for use.
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
Adverse events should also be reported to AbbVie on GBPV@abbvie.com
Date of preparation: April 2024. UK-BUO-240025.