OBJECTIVE: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition that has a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study measured changes in bother of OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over 6 months in patients treated with extended-release (ER) tolterodine in a naturalistic setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-cohort observational study of patients diagnosed with OAB, naïve to antimuscarinic treatment and prescribed tolterodine ER for the first time. Patients were asked to complete the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) containing a symptom bother scale (0-100) and an HRQoL scale (0-100), which measures coping, social interaction, concern and sleep, at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: In total, 235 patients (211 women and 24 men), with a mean age of 61 years (30-87), were recruited. The numbers of patients who completed the OAB-q were 220 and 169 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The mean reductions in the symptom bother score from baseline were 19.6 and 19.3 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Significant improvement (p < 0.0001) was seen in all HRQoL subscale scores. The proportion of responders who met the minimally important difference (change in the score of 10 or more units between baseline and 6 months) was 64% for the symptom bother score and 34-60% for the total HRQoL and subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS: OAB patients beginning treatment with tolterodine ER reported clinically significant improvement in OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over the 6 months of this observational study. The rate of discontinuation from treatment was 49%.
OBJECTIVE:Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition that has a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study measured changes in bother of OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over 6 months in patients treated with extended-release (ER) tolterodine in a naturalistic setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-cohort observational study of patients diagnosed with OAB, naïve to antimuscarinic treatment and prescribed tolterodine ER for the first time. Patients were asked to complete the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) containing a symptom bother scale (0-100) and an HRQoL scale (0-100), which measures coping, social interaction, concern and sleep, at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: In total, 235 patients (211 women and 24 men), with a mean age of 61 years (30-87), were recruited. The numbers of patients who completed the OAB-q were 220 and 169 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The mean reductions in the symptom bother score from baseline were 19.6 and 19.3 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Significant improvement (p < 0.0001) was seen in all HRQoL subscale scores. The proportion of responders who met the minimally important difference (change in the score of 10 or more units between baseline and 6 months) was 64% for the symptom bother score and 34-60% for the total HRQoL and subscale scores. CONCLUSIONS:OABpatients beginning treatment with tolterodine ER reported clinically significant improvement in OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over the 6 months of this observational study. The rate of discontinuation from treatment was 49%.