Long-term darifenacin treatment for overactive bladder in patients aged 65 years and older: analysis of results from a 2-year, open-label extension study

Comparative Safety and Efficacy of Treatments for Overactive Bladder Among Older Adults: A Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cumulative exposure to one or more anticholinergic medications ("anticholinergic burden") is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, particularly among older individuals. Mirabegron, an oral selective β3-adrenergic receptor agonist, has demonstrated efficacy in managing the symptoms of overactive bladder without contributing to anticholinergic burden. However, it is not known whether the favorable safety profile of mirabegron relative to antimuscarinics varies with increasing age among a patient population who may have a high anticholinergic burden.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to indirectly compare the safety and efficacy profile of mirabegron relative to antimuscarinics in older adults with overactive bladder.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials that reported safety and efficacy endpoints among patients aged ≥ 65 years. Identified randomized controlled trials were subsequently synthesized via a network meta-analysis. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines in designing, performing, and reporting the literature review were followed. In line with current best practices, the network meta-analysis was conducted using a Bayesian approach and according to the overall general guidance for evidence synthesis developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence decision support unit. Estimates of relative safety were assessed via the odds ratio and estimates of relative efficacy were assessed via means and credible intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 3078 abstracts, 300 of which underwent full-text screening, were identified using the search criteria. Twenty articles reporting on 21 randomized controlled trials were eligible for data extraction and synthesis. Following review, five safety and five efficacy endpoints were considered for inclusion in the network meta-analysis. Regarding findings typical of anticholinergic exposure in older adults, mirabegron was not associated with an increased odds of dry mouth (odds ratio 95% credible interval 0.76 [0.26-2.37]) or constipation (1.08 [0.39-3.02]) relative to placebo, whereas antimuscarinics were strongly associated with these events (odds ratio range 3.78-7.85 and 2.12-4.66, respectively). In this older population, mirabegron was associated with a similar odds of experiencing adverse event-related treatment discontinuations relative to placebo (0.99 [0.57-1.70]), while the odds of experiencing an adverse event-related treatment discontinuation for antimuscarinics had a range of 1.14-3.03 (in most cases, the association was mild). No increased odds of experiencing overall treatment-emergent adverse events was observed for mirabegron or antimuscarinics (odds ratio range 1.25-1.55), apart from fesoterodine (2.23 [1.37-3.37]). Finally, a similar treatment effect was observed across all efficacy endpoints between mirabegron and antimuscarinics in this older population.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the safety and efficacy profile of mirabegron remains favorable compared with antimuscarinics among older adults. This includes safety outcomes typically associated with anticholinergic burden, which were less frequently observed in patients treated with mirabegron.

Development of a core set of outcome measures for OAB treatment

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Standardized measures enable the comparison of outcomes across providers and treatments giving valuable information for improving care quality and efficacy. The aim of this project was to define a minimum standard set of outcome measures and case-mix factors for evaluating the care of patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS

The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) convened an international working group (WG) of leading clinicians and patients to engage in a structured method for developing a core outcome set. Consensus was determined by a modified Delphi process, and discussions were supported by both literature review and patient input.

RESULTS

The standard set measures outcomes of care for adults seeking treatment for OAB, excluding residents of long-term care facilities. The WG focused on treatment outcomes identified as most important key outcome domains to patients: symptom burden and bother, physical functioning, emotional health, impact of symptoms and treatment on quality of life, and success of treatment. Demographic information and case-mix factors that may affect these outcomes were also included.

CONCLUSIONS

The standardized outcome set for evaluating clinical care is appropriate for use by all health providers caring for patients with OAB, regardless of specialty or geographic location, and provides key data for quality improvement activities and research.

Systematic literature review of clinical trials evaluating pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder in elderly patients: An assessment of trial quality

AIMS

Overactive bladder (OAB) disproportionately affects older-aged adults, yet most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) underrepresent patients ≥65. This systematic literature review (SLR) identified RCTs evaluating β-3 adrenergic agonists or muscarinic antagonists in elderly patients with OAB, and compared study quality across trials.

METHODS

MEDLINE^® , Embase^® , and Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Clinical Trials databases were searched from inception through April 28, 2015 to identify published, peer-reviewed RCT reports evaluating β-3 adrenergic agonists or muscarinic antagonists in elderly OAB patients (either ≥65 years or study-described as "elderly"). To assess study quality of RCT reports, we focused on internal/external validity, assessed via two scales: the validated Effective Public Health Practice Project [EPHPP]): Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies, and a tool commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

RESULTS

Database searches yielded 1380 records that were then screened according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. We included eight papers meeting study criteria. Despite scientific community efforts to improve RCT reporting standards, published reports still include incomplete and inconsistent reporting-of subject attrition, baseline patient characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and other important details. Only three of the eight OAB RCTs in this review received quality ratings of Strong (EPHPP) or Fair (AHRQ) and were multicenter with large samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the prevalence of OAB among older age individuals, relatively few RCTs evaluate OAB treatments explicitly among elderly subjects. The findings from this quality assessment suggest some areas for improvement in both conduct and reporting of future RCTs assessing OAB treatment in elderly.

Real-world characteristics of elderly patients with overactive bladder in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Although much has been published about the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who were enrolled in clinical trials, very little is known about the general population of elderly Americans with OAB. We update this gap in the literature by using real-world data to describe this population.

METHODS

We used Medicare claims and the Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys from 2006 to 2011 to identify patients with OAB. We describe the demographic characteristics, functional impairment and physical limitations, concurrent medical conditions, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores, and concomitant medication use of patients with OAB; these characteristics are also described by sex and age group (65-74 vs. ≥75 years). We also compare the characteristics of OAB with non-OAB patients.

RESULTS

We identified 415 elderly patients with OAB (average age 79 years; 71% female) and 6868 without OAB (average age 77 years; 62% female). Patients with OAB reported high levels of functional impairment as measured by the Activities of Daily Living (44% vs. 33% for non-OAB patients), Instrumental ADL (53% vs. 40% for non-OAB patients), and physical functioning limitation (90% vs. 81% for non-OAB patients) scales. Elderly patients with OAB also experienced high levels of comorbidity burden, as measured by the number of medical conditions (18 vs. 11 for non-OAB patients), CCI (2.1 vs. 1.4 for non-OAB patients), and number of non-OAB-related concomitant medications used (11 vs. 8 for non-OAB patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with OAB in the general population have high levels of functional impairment and physical limitations, comorbidity, and concomitant medication use. These characteristics should be taken into consideration when managing OAB symptoms and designing future clinical studies. These results, which are representative of elderly patients with OAB in the general US population, should, however, be interpreted in light of the key limitations of the data we used: patients may have been misclassified and medical conditions overestimated due to artifacts of diagnosis coding and our results can only be generalized to patients who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D for at least 12 continuous months.

Oral pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder in older patients: mirabegron as a potential alternative to antimuscarinics

OBJECTIVE

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a particular challenge to treat in older adults with co-morbid conditions taking multiple medications. Antimuscarinics (e.g., solifenacin, fesoterodine) and β3-adrenergic receptor agonists (mirabegron) are similarly efficacious; however, antimuscarinics may be associated with side effects that result in poor persistence and contribute to anticholinergic burden, particularly in those taking other medications with anticholinergic properties. With a mechanism of action distinct from antimuscarinics, mirabegron has a different tolerability profile and does not contribute to anticholinergic burden. The objective of this review was to compare and contrast the tolerability profiles of antimuscarinics and mirabegron in older patients to inform practice.

METHODS

Prospective trials or retrospective subgroup analyses of antimuscarinics for the treatment of OAB in older patients were identified through a search of PubMed. Tolerability data and results of subgroup analyses of mirabegron in patients aged ≥65 and ≥75 years from a pooled analysis of three trials each of 12 weeks and a 1 year trial are described.

RESULTS

Anticholinergic adverse events (AEs) including dry mouth and constipation were more frequent with antimuscarinics versus mirabegron. In patients aged ≥65 years, dry mouth occurred with a six-fold higher incidence with tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4 mg than with mirabegron 25 mg or 50 mg over 12 weeks, and a three-fold higher incidence with tolterodine ER than mirabegron 50 mg over 1 year. Mirabegron had a low incidence of central nervous system effects. A systematic review of the cardiovascular safety profile of mirabegron has not identified any clinically significant effects on blood pressure or pulse rate at therapeutic doses amongst patients aged ≥65 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Mirabegron has a more favorable tolerability profile than antimuscarinics amongst older patients and may provide an improved benefit-to-risk ratio and therefore be considered as an alternative to antimuscarinics for older patients.

Delivery methods for drugs used in the treatment of overactive bladder

INTRODUCTION

Overactive bladder affects a significant portion of the population and results in prescribing of numerous medications for its treatment. Traditional drug delivery systems used in therapy are associated with multiple commonly reported side effects. Adherence rates with use of these medications are low. It is likely that low adherence rates with the use of these drugs are due in some part to drug side effects. It is therefore important that alternate methods for drug delivery be explored to reduce side effect profiles and improve patient compliance.

AREAS COVERED

This article addresses the various forms of drug delivery for overactive bladder medications, focusing on those currently in use. Newer systems of drug delivery are also discussed. Through thorough review of research data, randomized trials and meta analyses, drug delivery systems were evaluated.

EXPERT OPINION

EXPERT OPINION favors the use of the transdermal patch and recognizes the necessity for further research and development of other delivery methods. The patch delivery method offers the most effective means of treating symptoms and minimizing drug related adverse side effects leading to treatment discontinuation. Development of OAB medications aimed at alternate receptor targets has the potential to facilitate the creation of new treatment methods to compete with the current standard of care used in OAB treatment.

Treatment of Overactive Bladder in the Elderly Female: The Case for Trospium, Oxybutynin, Fesoterodine and Darifenacin

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common constellation of lower urinary tract storage symptoms that causes a significant impact on a person's quality of life. The elderly may be disproportionally impacted by these symptoms due to concomitant poor mobility, comorbid conditions such as diabetes and heart failure, and polypharmacy. While behavioral modification and pelvic floor muscle training should be considered first-line treatment options, pharmacotherapy remains the backbone of the therapeutic regimen. Trospium, oxybutynin, fesoterodine, and darifenacin all have unique properties that may confer certain advantages in the elderly population. The hydrophilicity and quaternary amine structure of trospium may limit its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and thus minimize impact on cognition in the elderly. In its oral form, oxybutynin may have the most significant effect on cognition; however, the transdermal preparations may be favorable in the elderly population due to the ability to avoid first-pass metabolism and its limited antimuscarinic adverse effects. Fesoterodine may be the most extensively studied OAB medication in the elderly population. Darifenacin has a strong affinity for the M3 receptor in the bladder, while having a weak affinity for the M1 receptor commonly found in the brain. It must be noted that all muscarinic receptor antagonists are associated with common adverse effects to some degree, and frequent re-evaluation of the elderly patient is necessary to confirm the proper benefit-to-risk profile.

Pharmacotherapy of overactive bladder in adults: a review of efficacy, tolerability, and quality of life

Introduction

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition that has a significant impact on quality of life. The usual treatment approach is both behavioral and pharmacological. The first-line pharmacological treatment commonly utilizes anticholinergic agents, which may be limited by their tolerability, efficacy, and long-term compliance. Developments in elucidating the pathophysiology of OAB and alternative targets for pharmacological therapy have led to newer agents being developed to manage this condition. These agents include mirabegron and botulinum toxin, which have alternate mechanism of action and avoid the anticholinergic side effects.

Objectives

To provide an update for clinicians managing OAB with an overview of the existing and newer medical options for OAB, including pharmacology, efficacy, side-effect profile, tolerability, and impact on patient quality of life.

Methods

PubMed and Medline were searched for randomized controlled drug trials in adults with OAB, meta-analyses of medical therapy for OAB, and individual drug names, including the keywords efficacy, tolerability, quality of life, and compliance. Nonhuman studies, pediatric trials, and those involving patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction (with the exception of studies involving botulinum toxin A) were excluded.

Results

There is level 1, Grade A evidence to support the efficacy of anticholinergic drugs, botulinum toxin, and mirabegron for OAB. Long-term compliance with anticholinergic medications is limited. The mechanism of action, effectiveness, and side effects of these drugs are discussed, and where the data are available compared with other OAB medications.

Conclusion

Most of the anticholinergic agents have comparative efficacies and core side-effect profiles, with individual variations relating to their muscarinic receptor selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism. Newer agents, with alternative sites of action, such as mirabegron and botulinum toxin, provide additional treatment options for patients intolerant to or inadequately treated with anticholinergics.

Effect of fesoterodine in vulnerable elderly subjects with urgency incontinence: a double-blind, placebo controlled trial

PURPOSE

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexible dose fesoterodine in medically complex vulnerable elderly subjects with urgency urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, flexible dose, placebo controlled trial, subjects were community dwelling men and women 65 years old or older. Subjects had scores of 3 or more on the VES-13 (Vulnerable Elders Survey) and 20 or more on the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), and 2 to 15 urgency urinary incontinence episodes and 8 or more micturitions per 24 hours on 3-day baseline diaries. Subjects randomized to fesoterodine received 4 mg once daily for 4 weeks and could then increase to 8 mg based on discussion with the investigator. Subjects receiving 8 mg could decrease the dose to 4 mg at any time (sham escalation and de-escalation for placebo). The primary outcome measure was change in daily urgency urinary incontinence episodes. Secondary outcomes included changes in other diary variables and patient reported quality of life measures. Safety evaluations included self-reported symptoms and post-void residual volume.

RESULTS

A total of 562 patients were randomized (mean age 75 years, 50.4% age 75 years or greater). Subjects had high rates of comorbidities, polypharmacy and functional impairment. At week 12 the fesoterodine group had significantly greater improvements in urgency urinary incontinence episodes per 24 hours (-2.84 vs -2.20, p = 0.002) and most other diary variables and quality of life, as well as a higher diary dry rate (50.8% vs 36.0%, p = 0.002). Adverse effects were generally similar to those of younger populations including risk of urinary retention.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge this is the first antimuscarinic study in a community based, significantly older, medically complex elderly population with urgency urinary incontinence. Flexible dose fesoterodine significantly improved urgency urinary incontinence episodes and other outcomes vs placebo, and was generally well tolerated.

Persistence and adherence in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome with anticholinergic therapy: a systematic review of the literature

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a chronic condition that has an impact on patients' daily activities and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Anticholinergic therapy is often prescribed following insufficient results with behaviour modification alone; however, rates of treatment discontinuation are consistently high. This study systematically reviewed persistence and adherence data in patients with OAB treated with anticholinergic therapy. A search focused on the intersection of OAB, persistence/adherence, and anticholinergic therapy was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Articles published after 1998 were reviewed and selected for inclusion based on prespecified criteria. A total of 147 articles and two abstracts were included in the review. Results from 12-week clinical trials showed high rates of discontinuation, ranging from 4% to 31% and 5% to 20% in treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Unsurprisingly, rates of discontinuation found in medical claims studies were substantially higher, with 43% to 83% of patients discontinuing medication within the first 30 days and rates continuing to rise over time. Findings from medical claims studies also suggest that over half of patients never refill their initial prescription and that adherence levels tend to be low, with mean/median medication possession ratio (MPR) values ranging from 0.30 to 0.83. The low levels of persistence and adherence documented in this review reveal cause for concern about the balance between the efficacy and tolerability of anticholinergic agents. Strategies should be identified to increase persistence and adherence. New agents and non-pharmacologic alternatives with good efficacy and minimal side effects should be explored.

Review of cognitive impairment with antimuscarinic agents in elderly patients with overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) will become an increasingly prevalent problem as the proportion of older people in the population increases over the next 20 years. In addition to the urological symptoms (urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia), OAB is associated with other problems in older patients, especially an increased risk of falls and fractures. The bother caused by OAB needs not be an inevitable consequence of ageing, because the symptoms can usually be alleviated, even in frail older people. Pharmacological treatment for OAB involves the use of antimuscarinic agents, whose efficacy and safety profiles depend on their interactions with muscarinic receptors that are widely distributed throughout the body. Interactions between antimuscarinics and M(1) receptors in the central nervous system may have the potential to cause cognitive impairment in older people, depending on muscarinic receptor binding profiles, lipophilicity and the ability to cross the blood brain barrier. Concerns over the possibility of cognitive impairment have contributed to an under-utilisation of antimuscarinics in the geriatric population, despite the high prevalence and severity of OAB in older subjects. Antimuscarinic agents should be actively considered for elderly patients with OAB, but it is desirable to establish the cognitive risk for every type of antimuscarinic, using robust cognition assessment methods.

Behavioral intervention versus pharmacotherapy or their combinations in the management of overactive bladder dysfunction

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) refers to individuals with the following symptoms: urinary urgency, increased urinary frequency, and urge incontinence. These symptoms are not life threatening but can cause embarrassment and significantly impact quality of life. There are numerous treatment options for OAB, including behavioral therapy, traditional pharmacological therapy or a combination of the two. These options are considered the mainstay of treatment for OAB. We carried out a comprehensive systematic review of the available literature on the effectiveness of behavioral intervention, anticholinergic drugs, and their combination in the management of adults with overactive bladder, with emphasis on results from clinical trials and primary literature. Each treatment intervention is efficacious, and the choice should be based on the patient's severity of symptoms, tolerability, compliance and satisfaction with the treatment. Based on available literature, management of OAB using a combination of behavioral therapy and drug intervention is the most efficacious in terms of patient satisfaction, perceived improvement, and reduction of bladder symptoms. It is also the most practical and cost effective for optimal management of patients with OAB. Pharmacological treatment, in addition to behavioral therapy, remains important in the management of adults with OAB syndrome.

Darifenacin treatment for overactive bladder in patients who expressed dissatisfaction with prior extended-release antimuscarinic therapy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Patient perception of overactive bladder (OAB) treatment outcomes can be a useful indicator of benefit and may help drive persistence on treatment, which is known to be poor in OAB. It remains unclear whether OAB patients dissatisfied with one antimuscarinic can achieve satisfaction with another and supporting data are limited. This study investigated patient-reported outcomes and clinical parameters during darifenacin treatment in OAB patients who expressed dissatisfaction with prior extended-release (ER) oxybutynin or tolterodine therapy (administered for >or= 1 week within the past year).

METHODS

This open-label study was conducted in darifenacin-naïve OAB patients. Patients received 7.5 mg darifenacin once daily with the possibility of up-titrating to 15 mg after 2 weeks, for up to 12 weeks. Efficacy parameters included the Patient's Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), patient satisfaction with treatment, micturition frequency and number of urgency and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded.

RESULTS

In total, 497 patients were treated (84.1% women). Darifenacin treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in PPBC scores, micturition frequency, urgency and UUI episodes from baseline at 12 weeks. The improvements were similar for patients previously treated with oxybutynin ER or tolterodine ER. More than 85% of patients expressed satisfaction with darifenacin. As noted in other studies, the most common AEs were dry mouth and constipation, but these infrequently resulted in treatment discontinuation, which was low overall.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, PPBC score and OAB symptoms were significantly improved, and satisfaction was high during treatment with darifenacin (7.5/15 mg) in patients who were dissatisfied with the previous antimuscarinic treatment.