Abstract
BackgroundWe aim to examine the trend in the use of antimuscarinics and off-label alpha-adrenergic blockers for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a Taiwanese Women Cohort between 2007 and 2012.MethodsThis population-based National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was used to examine the trends in the use of antimuscarinics or off-label alpha-adrenergic blockers in Taiwan. A sample of 1,000,000 individuals randomly drawn from the whole population of 23 million individuals who were registered in the NHI in 2005. From 2007 through 2012, women aged over 18 years whose claim record contained prescriptions of either of the two drugs for treatment of any of the LUTS-related diagnoses were identified and analyzed. The annual usage of the two drug classes were calculated by defined daily dose (DDD).ResultsFrom 2007–2012, there was a 0.80 fold (69676.8 to 125104.3) increase in DDD of antimuscarinics in our cohort. The overall healthcare seeking prevalence of LUTS was 7.33% in 2007 and 12.38% in 2012, in a rising trend. The prevalence of antimuscarinics-treated LUTS in our cohort increased from 2.53 in 2007 to 3.41 per 1000 women in 2012. The prevalence of LUTS treated by antimuscarinics increased especially for those older than 60 years during the study period.ConclusionsThis 6-year observational study provided the epidemiologic information of clinically significant LUTS of Asian female population. Moreover, there was a rising trend in the use of antimuscarinics and off-label alpha-adrenergic blockers in the population-based cohort.
Highlights
Lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) and overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) are common and distressing conditions in adults [1]
Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) treated by antimuscarinics increased especially for those older than 60 years during the study period. This 6-year observational study provided the epidemiologic information of clinically significant LUTS of Asian female population
A nationwide study based on National Overactive Bladder Evaluation (NOBLE) Program in the United States showed the prevalence of OAB was 16.0% in men and 16.9% in women over 18 years of age [5]
Summary
Lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) and overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) are common and distressing conditions in adults [1]. The variations may be associated with different study designs, methods of data acquisition (interview, web survey or questionnaire administration), definition of LUTS and OAB, or target populations. A population-based study in 6 European nations showed the overall prevalence of OAB in individuals aged over 40 years was 16.6% [4]. A nationwide study based on National Overactive Bladder Evaluation (NOBLE) Program in the United States showed the prevalence of OAB was 16.0% in men and 16.9% in women over 18 years of age [5]. We aim to examine the trend in the use of antimuscarinics and off-label alpha-adrenergic blockers for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a Taiwanese Women Cohort between 2007 and 2012
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