Anticholinergics for Overactive Bladder in Frail and Medically Complex Older People: The Case For.

Abstract

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common, troublesome condition affecting the lives of many older people. When pharmacotherapy is considered, antimuscarinics remain the mainstay for treatment. Bladder antimuscarinics are effective in the relief of symptoms for OAB and treatment leads to significant improvements in quality of life for those with the condition. However, many older people (> 65years) with OAB are in later life (> 75years) and a proportion of these will either be medically complex, with multiple comorbid conditions, or frail. This article discusses the evidence for OAB treatment in the frail or medically complex elderly, outlines where caution should be exercised, giving examples from the recent literature, and advocates for an active approach for this group, who are often left without any treatment.