How does lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) affect sexual function in men and women? ICI-RS 2015-Part 2

The impact of pharmacotherapy on sexual function in female patients being treated for idiopathic overactive bladder: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition defined by urgency with or without incontinence which disproportionately affects female patients and has a negative impact on sexual enjoyment and avoidance behaviour. Pharmacotherapy can be considered one of the main options for treating OAB. This research set out to determine the impact of pharmacotherapy on sexual function in females with OAB.

METHODS

This research used the robust methodology of a systematic review. The clinical question was formulated using the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) format to include females being treated with pharmacotherapy (anticholinergics or beta-3 adrenergic agonists) for idiopathic OAB with the use of a validated questionnaire assessing self-reported sexual function at baseline and post-treatment. The review incorporated the MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE databases. The AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) appraisal tool was used to guide the review process. Two reviewers worked independently in screening abstracts, deciding on the inclusion of full-texts, data extraction and risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

In female patients with OAB, pharmacotherapy does seem to offer at least partial improvement in self-reported sexual function outcomes after 12 weeks of therapy. Still, the value of this finding is limited by an overall poor quality of evidence. Patients with a higher degree of bother at baseline stand to benefit the most from treatment when an improvement within this health-related quality of life domain is sought.

CONCLUSION

This research should form the basis for a well-conducted randomized controlled study to accurately assess sexual function improvements in females being treated with pharmacotherapy for OAB.

Assessment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Erectile Dysfunction and Its Association with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women and Men Over 18 Years Old: Results From the COBaLT Study

BACKGROUND

Female sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction (FSD/ED) have been linked with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), from both epidemiological data and basic research studies, but few studies have been conducted in Latin America addressing these issues and most of them do not include the young population.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of FSD/ED and its association with LUTS in Colombia.

METHODS

Sub-analysis of a cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in subjects ≥18 years old to evaluate LUTS/OAB. The estimated sample size was 1,054. ED was defined as ≤21 points in the SHIM and FSD as ≤19 in the FSFI-6. For LUTS/OAB, we used the 2002 ICS and 2010 IUGA/ICS definitions and validated questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed.

OUTCOMES

Prevalence of FSD/ED and association of FSD/ED and LUTS.

RESULTS

We included 1,060 participants; the median age was 40 (IQR 27-54) years. Fifty-seven (11.4%) men and 182 (32.7%) women were sexually inactive. The prevalence of FSD/ED in sexually active participants was 47% (men 52.9%, women 38.9%). The most common FSD/ED symptoms were diminished/absent lubrication in women (42%) and diminished erection maintenance after penetration in men (13%). Individuals with FSD/ED had higher rates of various LUTS. The multivariable logistic regression model found that the city of residence (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 8.4, 95% CI 1.4-48.7), menopause (OR=3.5, 95% CI 1.9-6.2), urge urinary incontinence (UUI) (OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3) and nocturia ≥2 (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2) were associated with FSD. In men, age 40-59 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.7) and ≥60 (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 2.4-12.5), the city of residence (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.3), less than a high-school diploma vs higher education (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.2), depression (OR = 4.6, 95% CI 1.8-11.5), UUI (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.1-10.2) and feeling of incomplete bladder emptying (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.5) were associated with ED.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study underlines the importance of assessing LUTS in women and men of all affected age groups who present with symptoms of FSD/ED and vice versa, which could help achieve a better approach for these patients.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the first study in Colombia and one of the few in Latin America that addresses both FSD/ED and LUTS in men and women aged 18 years and older. Limitations include being a sub-analysis of a study aiming to determine the prevalence of LUTS/OAB and not FSD/ED.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of age, LUTS were observed more frequently in patients with FSD/ED. Various LUTS were associated with FSD/ED. Bravo-Balado A, Trujillo CG, Caicedo JI, et al. Assessment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Erectile Dysfunction and Its Association with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women and Men Over 18 Years Old: Results From the COBaLT Study. J Sex Med 2021;18:1065-1074.

Clinical Guidelines for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (second edition)

The present article is an abridged English translation of the Japanese Clinical Guidelines for Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (second edition), published in September 2019. These guidelines consist of a total of 212 pages and are unique worldwide in that they cover female lower urinary tract symptoms other than urinary incontinence. They contain two algorithms for "primary treatment" and "specialized treatment," respectively. These guidelines, consisting of six chapters, address a total of 26 clinical questions including: (i) treatment algorithms; (ii) what are female lower urinary tract symptoms?; (iii) epidemiology and quality of life; (iv) pathology and illness; (v) diagnosis; and (vi) treatment. When the patient's symptoms mainly involve voiding and post-micturition symptoms, specialized treatment should be considered. In the event of voiding symptoms concurrent with storage symptoms, residual urine should be measured; if the residual urine volume is <100 mL, then diagnosis and treatment for storage symptoms is prioritized, and if the volume is ≥100 mL, then specialized treatment should be considered. When storage symptoms are the primary condition, then the patient is subject to the primary treatment algorithm. Specialized treatment for refractory overactive bladder includes botulinum toxin injection and sacral nerve stimulation. For stress urinary incontinence, surgical treatment is indicated, such as urethral slings. The two causes of voiding symptoms and post-micturition symptoms are lower urinary tract obstruction and detrusor underactivity (underactive bladder). Mechanical lower urinary tract obstruction, such as pelvic organ prolapse, is expected to improve with surgery.

Beyond Antimuscarinics: A Review of Pharmacological and Interventional Options for Overactive Bladder Management in Men

CONTEXT

The role of overactive bladder (OAB) treatment in women beyond antimuscarinics has been evaluated extensively. Beta-3 agonists, botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A), and nerve stimulation are indicated in these patients. However, data on male patients in this clinical scenario are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence on treatment options beyond antimuscarinics in men with OAB.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Central Database of Systematic Reviews databases was performed for relevant articles published between January 2000 and October 2020, using the following Medical Subject Headings: "male/man," "LUTS," "overactive bladder," "storage symptoms," "urgency," "nocturia," "incontinence," "beta-3 agonist," "PDE-5 inhibitors," "botulinum toxin," "sacral nerve stimulation/neurostimulation," "percutaneous/transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation," "PTENS," and "combination therapy." Evidence acquisition was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42020201223.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Overall, 24 studies were retrieved. In male OAB, mirabegron (MIRA) is the most intensively investigated pharmacological option. A pooled analysis of five randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including 1187 patients, concluded that MIRA 50 mg was associated with a greater reduction in frequency versus placebo (-0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.74, -0.01, p <  0.05). A pooled analysis of three RCTs, including 1317 male patients, has also shown that the addition of MIRA 50 mg in men receiving the α₁-blocker tamsulosin improved the mean number of micturitions per day (-0.27, 95% CI: -0.46 to -0.09, p <  0.05), urgency episodes (-0.50, 95% CI: -0.77 to -0.22, p <  0.05), total OAB symptom score (-0.66, 95% CI: -1.00 to -0.38, p <  0.05), and mean volume voided (+10.76 ml, 95% CI: 4.87-16.64, p <  0.05). MIRA treatment is well tolerated in men. Other pharmacological treatment options, such as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, should be considered investigational. BTX-A seems to be effective as third-line treatment in male OAB patients. A higher rate of intermittent self-catheterization (5-42%) is observed in male than in female patients. Data on nerve stimulation are scarce.

CONCLUSIONS

MIRA has the most robust data in terms of safety and efficacy in this patient population. Preliminary data in men suggest that BTX-A is indicated as an interventional treatment. Evidence for PDE-5 inhibitors and nerve stimulation is too limited to provide recommendations. Future studies in this population should aim to better define the best treatment sequence and to identify predictors for treatment response and failure, to determine a therapeutic approach tailored to patients' characteristics.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Overactive bladder is highly prevalent in men. Mirabegron 50 mg is the treatment option supported by the highest level of evidence when antimuscarinics failed. Botulinum toxin A injections seems to be an effective treatment as interventional option. Roles of nerve stimulation and phosphodiesterase inhibitors in male OAB patients are still to be defined.