Refractory Overactive Bladder Research Articles

Therapeutic efficacy and short-term durability of trans-urethral amniotic bladder injections for the treatment of refractory COVID-associated cystitis.

COVID-19-associated cystitis (CAC) may arise following a COVID-19 infection and is characterized by the development of novel or worsening overactive bladder (OAB). CAC is possibly associated with bladder mucosal damage and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in inflammation and fibrosis of the bladder wall. Amniotic membrane (AM) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties and might potentially be beneficial for CAC. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of bladder injections of AM in CAC patients with resistant OAB symptoms. Five CAC patients, with an average age of 73 ± 1.0 years and a median disease duration of 2.4 years, received intra-detrusor injections of 100 mg micronized AM under general anesthesia and were followed for 20 weeks. Key urodynamic measures (involuntary detrusor contraction and maximum cystometric capacity) were determined to evaluate treatment response. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the OAB assessment tool, and safety was analyzed. All five patients showed improved urodynamic bladder function and significantly improved QOL improvements. The improvement was evident from 4 weeks post-treatment and sustained until 12 weeks. Symptoms re-surged at 20 weeks. No safety concerns arose during the study. The observed improvements in symptom scores and bladder volume parameters highlighted the promise of AM bladder injections as a viable intervention for CAC patients with refractory OAB symptoms. Comprehensive studies are needed to validate its therapeutic potential, and treatment protocol refinement is warranted to address the observed reduction in efficacy over time.

172 - Selective Bladder Denervation with Radiofrequency Ablation vs Intramuscular Botulinum Toxin Injection in Patients with Refractory Overactive Bladder: A Preliminary Report of Prospective Randomized Comparative Study

172 - Selective Bladder Denervation with Radiofrequency Ablation vs Intramuscular Botulinum Toxin Injection in Patients with Refractory Overactive Bladder: A Preliminary Report of Prospective Randomized Comparative Study

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in paediatric non-neurogenic therapy resistant overactive bladder: a cohort study.

Intradetrusor Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT-A) is an increasingly applied treatment modality for overactive bladder (OAB) in children with refractory urinary incontinence. Despite that, evidence is sparse, and the potential not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intradetrusor injection in children with refractory functional OAB and urinary incontinence. Furthermore, we aimed to identify predictors of efficacy and side effects to BoNT-A treatment. We conducted a cohort study of children with OAB and urinary incontinence who received intradetrusor injection of BoNT-A in the period 01.01.2016 to 31.12.2020 at our centre. All patients were refractory to standard urotherapy, anticholinergics, mirabegron and the combination of these treatments. Patients with neurogenic bladder were excluded. Primary endpoint was the reduction on the frequency of urinary incontinence episodes from baseline. Secondary endpoints included urodynamic parameters and uroflowmetry characteristics as well as side effects. Forty-three children (mean age at first treatment 10.7 ± 1.8, 30 males) were included. After first treatment, a reduction of ≥ 50% in incontinence episodes was seen in 58% of patients with daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) and 47% of patients with nocturnal enuresis (NE). Adverse events, mainly urinary tract infections (UTI), were reported by 16% of patients after first treatment. Our analysis identified normal cystometric compliance as a significant predictor of treatment effect We estimated the mean duration of effect to be approximately 7months. Intradetrusor BoNT-A injection appears to be a safe and effective option in treating refractory urinary incontinent children with overactive bladder. We identified cystometric compliance as a predictor of response. Most children necessitate repeated treatments. Further prospective and controlled studies are necessary in order to fully identify predictors and potential of treatment.

Evaluation of transurethral GreenLight laser-selective vaporization for refractory overactive bladder in women.

Refractory overactive bladder (OAB) in women is a common yet challenging condition for which traditional treatments have been unsatisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization for treating refractory OAB in women. The female patients with refractory OAB who were admitted to the Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between May 2022 and July 2023 were examined retrospectively in this study. Transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization was used to treat the patients, and the perioperative and postoperative parameters were reviewed and compared. Bladder mucosa was examined by immunohistochemical staining to explore the expressions of TRPV1, P2X3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) before and after treatments. Surgeries were performed successfully for all 32 patients in 57.38±11.22 minutes with minimal intraoperative bleeding. Twelve weeks post-surgery, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the patients' Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), 3-day bladder diary (daytime frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urgency incontinence), and Overactive Bladder questionnaire Short Form (OAB-qSF) score. After treatments, both first desire to void (FDV) and maximum bladder pressure capacity (MCBC) increased significantly (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the GreenLight laser significantly reduced the expressions of TRPV1, P2X3, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the bladder mucosa (P<0.05). No severe complications were observed after interventions. For female patients with refractory OAB who have shown poor response to conventional treatment approaches, transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization may represent a promising alternative treatment option.

Long term safety, continuation rates and subjective and objective success of Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder

Introduction:Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is currently offered to patients with refractory overactive bladder (OAB). We aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term continuation of PTNS over 11 years. Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study on all patients who underwent PTNS from 2012 to 2023. The primary outcomes were change in urinary frequency over 24 hours, maximum voided volume (MVV), number of episodes of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and patient perception of intensity of urgency scale (PPIUS). Results:We identified 81 patients. 83% of patients completed 12 treatments of PTNS, and 54% of those that did not complete their full course of treatment stated that this was due to inefficacy. 33% of patients underwent PTNS ‘top ups’ as needed. Only 1 patient reported an adverse effect of musculoskeletal leg pain.28% of patients reported a subjective improvement of their symptoms by 50% or more. There was an average reduction in daytime frequency by 0.6 episodes (p = 0.033), an increase in MVV by 13mls (p = 0.927), a reduction in UUI episodes each day by 0.7 (p = 0.008) and a reduction in average PPIUS by 0.4 (p = 0.024). Conclusion:PTNS remains a safe treatment option for patients with refractory OAB with evidence of both subjective and objective improvement to most symptoms. The majority of our patients completed a 12-week cycle but only 1 in 3 chose to have further PTNS ‘top ups’ and only 1 in 5 are continuing with PTNS for long term management of their OAB.

Clinical efficacy and safety analysis of type A botulinum toxin in the treatment of adolescents with refractory overactive bladder.

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of type A botulinum toxin in the treatment of refractory overactive bladder in adolescents. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 37 adolescent patients with refractory overactive bladder who were treated at the Urology Department of Hangzhou Third People's Hospital between January 2018 and August 2023. These patients received intravesical injections of type A botulinum toxin at a concentration of 10 U/mL, with an average of 20 injection points. We recorded changes in urination diaries and urodynamic parameters both before and 1 month after treatment. After 1 month of treatment, significant improvements were observed in several parameters, when compared to the pretreatment values. These included daytime frequency of urination (11.13 ± 6.45), average single void volume (173.24 ± 36.48) mL, nighttime frequency of urination (2.43 ± 0.31), urgency episodes (3.12 ± 0.27), initial bladder capacity (149.82 ± 41.34) mL, and maximum bladder capacity (340.25 ± 57.12) mL (all P < .001). After the first treatment, 5 patients had mild hematuria, 4 patients had urinary tract infection, and 1 patient had urinary retention, which was relieved after catheterization. No serious complications or adverse reactions were observed in other patients. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 18 months, and the duration of efficacy varied from 2 to 8 months. Eight patients who initially had treatment failure achieved symptom relief after reinjection. In adolescents with refractory overactive bladder who do not respond well to conventional drug therapy, type A botulinum toxin can be administered safely and effectively. It significantly improves lower urinary tract symptoms and enhances the quality of life for these patients.

Update on Overactive Bladder Therapeutic Options.

Millions of Americans are burdened by overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome and the psychogenic and economic hardships that accompany it. Several theories attempt to explain OAB as a neurogenic dysfunction, myogenic dysfunction, urothelial dysfunction, or decreased expression of a channel protein secondary to bladder outlet obstruction. Given that the etiology of OAB is a working theory, the management of OAB is also an evolving subject matter in medicine. There are uncertainties surrounding the pathophysiology of OAB, the strength of a clinical diagnosis, and accurate reporting because of the disease's stigma and decreased use of health care. This is a narrative review that used PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and ScienceDirect to review literature on current and future OAB therapies. Currently, first-line treatment for OAB is behavioral therapy that uses lifestyle modifications, bladder-control techniques, and psychotherapy. Second-line therapy includes antimuscarinic agents or beta 3 adrenergic agonists, and studies have shown that combination therapy with antimuscarinics and beta 3 adrenergic agonists provides even greater efficacy than monotherapy. Third-line therapies discussed include onabotulinumtoxinA, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, and sacral neuromodulation. OnabotulinumtoxinA has been FDA-approved as a nonpharmaceutical treatment option for refractory OAB with minimal side effects restricted to the urinary tract. Posterior tibial nerve modulation and sacral neuromodulation are successful in treating refractory OAB, but the costs and complication rates make them high-risk procedures. Therefore, surgical intervention should be a last resort. Estrogen therapy is effective in alleviating urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women, consistent with the association between estrogen deficiency and genitourinary syndrome. Potassium channel activators, voltage-gated calcium channel blockers, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors look to be promising options for the future of OAB management. As new therapies are developed, individuals with OAB can better personalize their treatment to maximize their quality of life and cost-effective care.

Strategies for Safe Transurethral Injections of Botulinum Toxin into the Bladder Wall.

Introduction: Transurethral injections into the bladder wall with botulinum toxin are an established treatment for refractory overactive bladder or detrusor overactivity. With the current injection technique, an average of approx. 18% and up to 40% of botulinum toxin is injected next to the bladder wall, potentially causing reduced efficacy or non-response. The article aims to evaluate the reasons for incorrect injections and propose strategies for complete delivery of the entire botulinum toxin fluid into the bladder wall. Material and Methods: Unstructured literature search and narrative review of the literature. Results: Incorrect injection of botulinum toxin fluid next to the bladder wall is caused by pushing the injection needle too deep and through the bladder wall. Bladder wall thickness decreases with increasing bladder filling and has a thickness of less than 2 mm beyond 100 mL in healthy individuals. Ultrasound imaging of the bladder wall before botulinum toxin injection can verify bladder wall thickness in individual patients. Patient movements during the injection therapy increase the chance of incorrect placement of the needle tip. Conclusions: Based on the literature search, it is helpful and recommended to (1) perform pretreatment ultrasound imaging of the bladder to estimate bladder wall thickness and to adjust the injection depth accordingly, (2) fill the bladder as low as possible, ideally below 100 mL, (3) use short needles, ideally 2 mm, and (4) provide sufficient anesthesia and pain management to avoid patient movements during the injection therapy.

Outcomes of para-sacral transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in treatment of primary and refractory overactive bladder among children

BackgroundOveractive bladder (OAB) is the most prevalent lower urinary tract dysfunction among children. Refractory OAB lacks response to the first line treatments, including anticholinergic, and it is a major clinical challenge. This study aims to compare the efficacy of para-sacral transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (PS-TENS) in the treatment of primary and refractory OAB among children.MethodsA prospective, randomized clinical study included 64 children aged 5–12 years with OAB divided equally into two groups: group (1) included 32 children with treatment-naive OAB, while group (2) included 32 children with refractory OAB who failed complete course of anticholinergics. Both groups received PS-TENS three times weekly for 12 weeks. Detailed medical history, voiding diary, ultrasound, and uroflowmetry with EMG were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Filling cystometry was performed for children with refractory OAB before and after PS-TENS.ResultsAfter the end of treatment the number of children with urge incontinence decreased significantly among the two groups: from 25 to 13 and 27 to 15 for the primary and refractory groups, respectively. Micturition frequency per 24 h decreased significantly among children with primary OAB. Bladder capacity increased significantly and the resting detrusor pressure decreased significantly among children with refractory OAB.ConclusionsPS-TENS is an effective and safe treatment option for children with OAB. The magnitude of improvement is higher among children with primary as compared to refractory OAB.

Outcomes of sequential third-line therapies in patients with refractory overactive bladder.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA) injection are third-line therapies for overactive bladder (OAB). Although the efficacy of each third-line treatment has been well established in clinical trials, there is far less information about performing one third-line therapy after the other. Our aim is thus to investigate the outcomes of post-SNM BoNTA and post-BoNTA SNM as "second" third-line treatments. We retrospectively reviewed all OAB patients who had both SNM and BoNTA between 2013 and 2022. The primary endpoint was the response rates (>50% improvements) of the second third-line treatments. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of the patients who achieved total dry, the duration of treatments of patients who had significant responses, and risk factors that are associated with treatment response or duration of treatments. A total of 172 patients had two third-line therapies. There were 104 patients who had post-SNM BoNTA and 68 patients who had post-BoNTA SNM. In the post-SNM BoNTA group, 62.5% (65/104) had significant responses after BoNTA treatment. In the post-BoNTA SNM group, 61.8% (44/68) had significant responses after SNM treatment. The proportions of patients who became dry were 21.2% and 23.5%, respectively. In the post-SNM BoNTA group, spinal pathology is associated with a lower probability of a significant response (48.9% vs. 73.7%, p-value = 0.0105). BoNTA or SNM remains a viable option for refractory OAB after patients fail from one another. Spinal pathology is associated with a poorer response of post-SNM BoNTA.

Efficacy and safety of pelvic floor magnetic stimulation combined with mirabegron in female patients with refractory overactive bladder: a prospective study.

To observe the efficacy and safety of pelvic floor magnetic stimulation (PFMS) combined with mirabegron in female patients with refractory overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. A total of 160 female patients with refractory OAB symptoms were prospectively randomized into two groups. Eighty cases in the combination group accepted PFMS and mirabegron therapy and 80 cases as control only accepted mirabegron therapy (The clinical trial registry number: ChiCTR2200070171). The lower urinary tract symptoms, OAB questionnaire (OAB-q) health-related quality of life (HRQol), symptom bother score and OABSS between two groups were compared at the 1st, 2nd and 4th week ends. All of 160 patients were randomly assigned to two groups, of which 80 patients were included in the combination group and 80 in the mirabegron group. The incidences of LUTS, including urgency, frequent urination, and incontinence episodes, in the 2nd week and the 4th week after combination treatment were significantly lower than those in the mirabegron group (p < 0.05). The incidence of drug-related adverse events between two groups was similar, and there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). With respect to secondary variables, the OAB-q HRQol score in the combination group was statistically superior in comparison with that in the mirabegron group between the 2nd week and the 4th week (p < 0.05). This was consistent with the primary outcome. Meanwhile, from the second to fourth week, the OAB-q symptom bother score and OABSS in the combination group were both lower than in the mirabegron group (p < 0.05). Combination therapy of PFMS and mirabegron demonstrated significant improvements over mirabegron monotherapy in reducing refractory OAB symptoms for female patients, and providing a higher quality of life without increasing bothersome adverse effects. https://www.chictr.org.cn/, ChiCTR-INR-22013524.

Does the setting for intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection for management of overactive bladder matter?

Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections, to treat idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB), can be performed in the office setting under local analgesia alone or in the operating room (OR) under local and/or sedation. The objective of this study was to compare the symptomatic improvement in patients with OAB who underwent treatment with intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections in an in-office versus the OR setting. We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of women with the diagnosis of refractory non-neurogenic OAB who elected to undergo treatment with intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections between January 2015 and December 2020. The electronic medical records were queried for all the demographic and peri-procedural data, including the report of subjective improvement post procedure. Patients were categorized as either "in-office" versus "OR" based on the setting in which they underwent their procedure. Five hundred and thirty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria: 297 (55%) in the in-office group and 242 (45%) in the OR group. A total of 30 (5.6%) patients reported retention after their procedure and it was more common in the in-office group (8.1%) versus the OR group (2.5%), (P = 0.003). The rate of urinary tract infection within 6 months of the procedure was higher in the OR group (26.0% vs. 16.8%, P = 0.009). The overall subjective improvement rate was 77% (95% confidence interval: 73%-80%). Patients in the OR group had a higher reported improvement as compared to the in-office group (81.4% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.03). In this cohort study of patients with OAB undergoing intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injections, post procedural subjective improvement was high regardless of the setting in which the procedure was performed.

Overactive bladder, inflammation and urinary tract infection: pathogenetic parallels

The review is devoted to modern ideas about the role of inflammation and urinary tract infection in the pathogenesis of overactive bladder. The molecular mechanisms of the mechanosensory function of the urothelium and the influence of bacterial colonization of the urothelium on it are described in detail. It has been shown that infectious inflammation, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, enhances the urothelial response to stretching and increases the excitability of afferent nerves. Bladder hypersensitivity and increased detrusor activity are pathogenetic basis for the development of overactive bladder. Data on the relationship between urinary infection and refractory overactive bladder are presented. The feasibility of conducting extended microbiological studies in patients with overactive bladder , especially when standard therapy is ineffective, has been demonstrated. A pathogenetic rationale for prescribing anti-inflammatory and immunoactive drugs to patients with overactive bladder is presented.

Migration of a sacral neuromodulation electrode after vaginal delivery in a female patient with non-obstructive urinary retention

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a well-established treatment in the management of refractory overactive bladder (OAB), non-obstructive retention, and fecal incontinence. However, the use and management of SNM in pregnant women remains elusive. We present a noteworthy case involving a patient diagnosed with Clara-Fowler syndrome who underwent SNM during the early stages of pregnancy. The sacral neuromodulator remained activated throughout the pregnancy upon patient's request. After vaginal delivery the patient encountered device dysfunction, ultimately attributed to electrode migration. After repositioning of a new electrode in the contralateral sacral root, the patient successfully recovered spontaneous voiding with no post void residual. This case suggests that SNM may not have detrimental effects on pregnancy or fetal development. However, the intricate physiological changes associated with pregnancy and vaginal delivery may contribute to electrode migration, warranting careful consideration in the management of pregnant patients undergoing SNM.

Preliminary analysis of stimulation parameters for sacral neuromodulation in different indications: a multicenter retrospective cohort study from China.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an effective approach for treating lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), and stimulation programming is essential for successful treatment. However, research on SNM programming for various indications is limited. Thus, the authors aimed to determine whether there were differences in the stimulation parameters for different SNM indications and the appropriate programming recommendations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients with LUTD who underwent SNM and completed internal pulse generator implantation. The parameters with the highest patient satisfaction or the most symptom improvement during the test period were considered optimal and used to set the programming after internal pulse generator implantation. After screening, 282 patients were enrolled and categorized into four groups based on the following indications: refractory overactive bladder (OAB) ( n =61), neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (nLUTD) ( n =162), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/BPS) ( n =24), and idiopathic nonobstructive urinary retention (NOUR) ( n =35). When analyzing the optimal stimulus parameters, disparities in the stimulation amplitude and pulse frequency were noted among the four groups. The stimulation amplitude in the nLUTD group was higher than that in the idiopathic NOUR group ( P =0.013). Differences in pulse frequency were observed between the refractory OAB and nLUTD groups ( P <0.001) and between the refractory OAB and idiopathic NOUR groups ( P =0.001). No differences in the electrode configuration or pulse width settings existed among the four groups. The stimulation parameters for SNM varied among the different indications. For the initial programming of stage I, most patients are recommended to start with stimulation amplitudes below 2 V, although patients with nLUTD may benefit from higher amplitudes. A standard pulse width of 210μs is recommended for all patients. However, for individuals experiencing nLUTD or idiopathic NOUR, the pulse frequency can begin above the standard 14Hz but not exceed 50Hz.

Effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxin A for refractory overactive bladder with cough‐associated detrusor overactivity

Effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxin A for refractory overactive bladder with cough‐associated detrusor overactivity

Efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of refractory overactive bladder and non-obstructive urinary retention –A preliminary report

Efficacy of sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of refractory overactive bladder and non-obstructive urinary retention –A preliminary report

Intravesical Injection of OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botulinum Toxin Type A) in Japanese Patients With Refractory Overactive Bladder.

Botulinum toxin intravesical injection therapy (hereafter, botulinum therapy) is approved in Japan for treating urinary urgency, frequency, and urinary incontinence due to refractory overactive bladder or neurogenic bladder. Although botulinum therapy is classified as urinary incontinence surgery, it is minimally invasive, effective, and safe. However, there are few reports on the actual use of botulinum therapy and examination of its effects and side-effects. Herein, we report real-world data on botulinum therapy. Patients who received botulinum therapy for refractory overactive bladder at the Nara Medical University and affiliated facilities from May 2020 to May 2022 were enrolled. The patient background, treatment efficacy, and safety were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-three cases of refractory overactive bladder (age: 68.4±14.1 years; 7 males, 16 females; 17 outpatient, 6 hospitalized) were enrolled. Pretreatment, the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was 10.1±2.7, and post-void residual urine volume was 27.1±31.6 ml. Botulinum was administered once, twice, thrice, and four times in 11, eight, three, and one cases, respectively. OABSS decreased to 6.1±3.2 2 weeks after botulinum therapy (p<0.0001), and the effect persisted at 6.6±3.2 after 12 weeks (p<0.0001). Post-void residual urine volume increased to 74.6±79.2 ml after 2 weeks (p=0.0010), but subsequently improved to 33.9±42.0 ml after 12 weeks (p=0.0002). Adverse events included post-void residual urine volume of 200 ml or more in three patients (7.5%) and urinary retention grade 2 in two (5.0%). Botulinum therapy is effective and relatively safe for refractory overactive bladders.

Long term safety outcomes and continuation rates of repeated Intravesical Botulinum Toxin A injections for Detrusor Overactivity: 16 year’s experience of a Tertiary Centre in the UK

Introduction:Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 27% of women in the UK with an adverse impact on quality of life. Medical treatment with anticholinergics has a high discontinuation rate due to side effects. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX ®) is an established treatment for refractory OAB, although there are little published data regarding safety with long term use. Objective:To report the long-term safety and continuation rates of intravesical Botox for OAB. Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with botulinum toxin A for OAB in a tertiary centre from 2007–2023. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Results:132 patients were identified, with a total of 574 episodes of intravesical Botox. Mean age at first treatment was 55 years. After 1st Botox treatment, 21% of patients developed urinary tract infections. Clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) was performed in 33% of patients, 5% of whom were performing CISC prior to treatment. The range of number of Botox treatments per patient was 1–18; 74% had more than one treatment. 52% of patients were lost to follow-up and 30% are ongoing patients. Recurrent UTIs developed in 23%. Conclusion:Repeated Botox injections appear to be a safe form of treatment for refractory OAB. Long term complications include recurrent UTIs, which affects 1 in 4 women, and voiding dysfunction, which affects 1 in 5. Only 1 in 3 women continue long term Botox treatment.

Fluid intake behavior in women with refractory overactive bladder undergoing third line therapy.

Fluid intake has been shown to be related to urinary symptoms, but no studies to date have investigated the effect of fluid intake on urinary symptoms in women with refractory overactive bladder (OAB). As this group of women are considered to have a possible unique pathophysiologic mechanism of OAB, we investigated the relationship between fluid intake, fluid intake behavior, and urinary symptoms in women with refractory OAB. A prospective cross-sectional study of women with refractory OAB was conducted by assessing the relationship between fluid intake and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women undergoing third line OAB therapies. Fluid intake and behavior were measured by the questionnaire based voiding diaryand urinary symptoms were measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS). The relationship between fluid intake and symptom severity was assessed using Spearman's rankcorrelation and χ2 tests. Of the 126 individuals undergoing third line therapy for OAB, 60 (48%) underwent intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection (BTX) injection, 42 (33%) peripheral tibial nerve stimulation,and 24 (19%) sacral neuromodulation.The mean total daily fluid intake was 2567.0 ± SD 1292.4 mL and did not differ significantly across treatment groups. Total fluid intake was weakly correlated with worse filling-type LUTS (r = 0.241, p = 0.007), and there was no relationship between LUTS and caffeinated fluid intake. Half (52%) of the subjects reported current fluid restricting behavior to control urinary symptoms, but this behavior was not correlated with LUTS severity (all p > 0.05). Patients that currently use tobacco have greater LUTS (current = 25.8 ± SD 9.5, former = 14.8 ± SD 6.1, never = 15.0 ± SD 6.1; p < 0.001). BMI was also positively correlated with worse incontinence symptoms (r = 0.351, p < 0.001). Fluid intake along with other lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and weight, are minimally related to the symptomatology seen in women with refractory OAB. Further studies are needed to assess if behaviors change during treatment with third line therapies, and if these behavioral changes may affect treatment response.