The role of botulinum toxin A in treating neurogenic bladder

Pioneering pain management with botulinum toxin type A: From anti-inflammation to regenerative therapies

In the present paper, a comprehensive review was conducted to evaluate the performance of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in managing various types of pain, including myofascial, muscular temporomandibular joint pain, orofacial pain, chronic migraines, and more. Firstly, the mechanism of action and anti-inflammatory effects of BTX-A was introduced. Following this, recent advancements in BTX-A applications were discussed, with an emphasis on emerging combination therapies, regenerative medicine, and personalized treatment strategies. Unlike previous reviews, this study explored a broader spectrum of pain conditions and highlighted BTX-A's versatility and potential as a long-term, minimally invasive pain management option. Additionally, the importance of tailoring BTX-A treatment was emphasized through the integration of biomarkers, genetic factors, and optimized dosing regimens to enhance efficacy and minimize side effects. Novel combinations with regenerative therapies, such as stem cells and tissue engineering, were identified as promising avenues for joint and nerve repair, providing both symptomatic relief and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, digital health tools and artificial intelligence were suggested as innovative approaches to monitor treatment responses and optimize dosing protocols in real-time, advancing personalized pain management. Overall, this review underscores BTX-A's potential in comprehensive and patient-centered pain management and offers recommendations to guide future studies in optimizing BTX-A therapy.

Efficacy and safety of intradetrusor abobotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA in women with overactive bladder and the value of local anesthesia: a randomized clinical study

BACKGROUND

A non-inferiority clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of abobotulinumtoxinA vs. incobotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections in women with overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence. Also, the effect of local anesthesia on the pain level of the procedure was assessed.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to receive 20 intradetrusor injections of either 300 U abobotulinumtoxinA or 100 U incobotulinumtoxinA. They were further randomized to receive either local anesthesia (40 ml 1% lidocaine solution) or placebo before botulinum toxin injection. Before the procedure and 4 months after the procedure each patient reported urinary incontinence episodes, frequency, nocturia, completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) score, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire. Each patient completed a patient satisfaction survey 4 months after the procedure. During the procedure, the patients graded the pain intensity of every injection on a visual analog scale (VAS). The total score of each questionnaire was considered.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients with a mean age of 66 ± 13 (SD) years completed the study. Total scores of UDI‑6, IIQ‑7, I‑QOL, patient satisfaction, urinary incontinence episodes, frequency, nocturia and VAS questionnaires did not show differences between the abobotulinumtoxinA (n = 26) or incobotulinumtoxinA (n = 28) group. Urinary retention requiring catheterization was noted in five patients. The VAS and patient satisfaction questionnaire values did not show significant differences between the group receiving bladder instillation with lidocaine solution (n = 28) or the group receiving placebo (n = 26).

CONCLUSION

In women with overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence where conservative treatment failed, abobotulinumtoxinA vs. incobotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections showed comparable results regarding improved clinical outcome and patient satisfaction. Local anesthesia before the procedure did not reduce the pain level in comparison with the placebo.

Time of onset and factors associated with delayed response post intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxin a in patients with neurogenic and idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for delayed response in patients with neurogenic and idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) after intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxin A injection.

Subjects and Methods

This is a retrospective study that included 87 patients who underwent onabotulinumtoxin A intradetrusor injection from October 2011 to November 2019. Patients were followed up at 2, 4, and 12 weeks post intervention in the outpatient clinic and over the phone. The data of patients with early response were compared with those with late response using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The study included 87 patients. The mean age was 41 ± 15.3 standard deviation, and 69% of the participants were female. Fifty-one percent were diagnosed with neurogenic OAB. A median response time to onabotulinumtoxin A injection of 7 days was demonstrated, and patients who responded during the first 7 days post procedure were considered early responders. Independent predictors for late response include diabetes (Relative risk: 3.89, P = 0.018, and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-11.98), >1 BTX-A session (Relative risk: 4, P = 0.011, and 95% CI: 1.38-11.6), and wet OAB (RR: 9.94, P = 0.002, and 95% CI: 2.31-42.17).

Conclusions

The median time of onset post intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxin A was found to be 7 days. Diabetes mellitus, wet OAB, and <1 Botox sessions were independent risk factors for late onset of response.

Prospective Evaluation of Intradetrusor Injections of OnabotulinumtoxinA in Adults With Spinal Dysraphism

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) on neurogenic overactive bladder (nOAB) in adults with congenital spinal dysraphism (CSD).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized pilot study of 24 adults with CSD and neurogenic overactive bladder. Patients were evaluated with baseline video-urodynamics (UDS) and validated questionnaires, underwent injection 200U BTX-A, and then underwent repeat evaluation with questionnaires and UDS 1-3 months postinjection. A high-risk subgroup was separately analyzed based on adverse clinical characteristics (ie, decrease bladder compliance, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, chronic kidney disease).

RESULTS

BTX-A injection improved patient recorded outcome measures seen in both I-QOL Score total (67.9 vs 75.5, P = .007) and Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score total (38.0 vs 29.0, P = .001). On UDS, BTX-A injection significantly improved end filling pressure (16.0 vs 8.8, P = .036) and also improved bladder compliance (mL/cm H2O) (89.38 vs 135.81, P = .445). High-risk patients were found to have similar improvements in most subjective questionnaire scoring, a significant decrease in end filling pressures, and improved bladder compliance on UDS.

CONCLUSION

BTX-A can be used as an effective treatment in adults with CSD. We found that BTX-A significantly improved quality of life from patient reported outcome measurements as well as improving end filling pressures and bladder compliance. These improvements were seen even within our high-risk subgroup. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and appropriate follow-up of this at-risk population.

Gabapentin add-on therapy for patients with spinal cord injury associated neurogenic overactive detrusors that are unresponsive to combined anticholinergic and beta-3 adrenergic therapy

Introduction

Spinal cord injury is a major cause of lifelong morbidity and functional micturition problems. Some patients are refractory to the available therapeutics, even when used in combination. In this paper we report our results of using gabapentin as an add-on treatment in refractory overactive detrusor cases secondary to spinal cord injury.

Material and methods

A total of 27 patients who had a spinal cord injury between the levels of the second thoracic and fourth lumbar vertebrae and had an overactive detrusor in urodynamic studies were included in this retrospective study. The patients were selected due to the fact that they also had not responded to a combination of an anticholinergic and mirabegron and had neuropathic pain. Gabapentin treatment was added to the previous therapy. Demographics, previous treatments, chronic conditions, urodynamic findings, clinical and urodynamic responses are reported in this paper.

Results

We observed a response to treatment in the urodynamic studies of 11 patients (40.17%), in terms of decreased detrusor contractions, maximal detrusor pressure, and the number of incontinence episodes. Sixteen patients did not respond to the gabapentin add-on therapy and were referred for Botulinum toxin injections to the bladder.

Conclusions

Gabapentin add-on therapy can be considered as a third or further option, before Botulinum toxin injection, for patients with neurogenic overactive detrusor who did not respond to the combination of anticholinergics and mirabegron. The approved usage of gabapentin for neurogenic pain justifies its usage in this area. In our selected patient group, who had not responded to the combination therapy, we observed a clinical benefit in one-third of the patients.

Perspectives on urological care in multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Lower urinary tract dysfunction due to MS includes a dysfunction of the storage phase or dysfunction of the voiding phase or a detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Baseline evaluation includes a voiding chart, an ultrasound scan of the urinary tract, urine culture, and an urodynamic study. For storage symptoms, antimuscarinics are the first-line treatment, and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is indicated if there is concomitant incomplete bladder emptying. Intradetrusor injections with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A), are recommended for refractory cases. Urinary diversion is rarely indicated. For patients with voiding symptoms, CIC and alpha-blockers are usually offered. Sexual dysfunction in patients with MS is multifactorial. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are first-line therapies for MS-associated erectile dysfunction in both male and female patients. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, genetic, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and management of MS. Lastly, the urologic outcomes and therapies are reviewed.

Botulinum Toxin A: A Review of Potential Uses in Treatment of Female Urogenital and Pelvic Floor Disorders

Background: Botulinum toxin is an injectable neuromodulator that inhibits transmission between peripheral nerve endings and muscle fibers, resulting in muscle paralysis. Botulinum toxin type A is the most common form of botulinum toxin used in clinical practice.

Methods: In this review, we examine the mechanism of action, formulations, common clinical use in the genital-urinary tract, and potential clinical use in pelvic floor disorders of botulinum toxin type A.

Results: Several aspects of botulinum toxin A make it a favorable therapeutic tool, including its accessibility, its longevity, and its impermanence and reversibility of resultant chemodenervation in a relatively short and safe manner. Although botulinum toxin A has well-established efficacy in treating refractory overactive bladder and neurogenic detrusor overactivity, its use in pelvic floor disorders is still in its infancy.

Conclusion: The efficacy of botulinum toxin A for treating pelvic pain, voiding dysfunction, muscle pain and dysfunction, and certain colorectal-related pain issues shows promise but requires additional rigorous evaluation.

Will repeated botulinum toxin A improve detrusor overactivity and bladder compliance in patients with chronic spinal cord injury?

Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) can induce neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), leading to urinary incontinence and renal damage due to low bladder compliance and high detrusor pressure during the storage and voiding of urine. In 2011, Botox^® (onabotulinumtoxinA, botulinum neurotoxin serotype A [BoNT-A]) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of NDO. Intradetrusor injection of BoNT-A has been shown to have clinical utility for the treatment of urinary incontinence, with consequent improvements in quality of life for patients. In the past 20 years, this treatment has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with SCI refractory to antimuscarinic medication. The present review focused on publications in MEDLINE/PubMed relating to botulinum toxin to evaluate the treatment outcomes of repeated injection of BoNT-A, the mechanisms of action, results of clinical and urodynamic studies, and adverse effects.

Macroplastique and Botox are superior to Macroplastique alone in the management of neurogenic vesicoureteric reflux in spinal cord injury population with presumed healthy bladders

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE

Vesico-ureteric reflux(VUR) is a known complication of neuropathic bladder in spinal cord injury(SCI) population. Bulking agents such as Macroplastique are new minimally-invasive treatment option for VUR with good results. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Macroplastique alone or in combination with Botox(BTX-A), in managing VUR in SCI population with presumed healthy bladders and correlate the pre-and post-injection urodynamic findings with the outcome.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study.

PARTICIPANTS

SCI patients with VUR and presumed health bladders (normo-compliant, low filling pressures), treated with macroplastique alone or in combination with BTX-A, who had pre and post-intervention Video-urodynamics (VUDS) and followed up for at least 12 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Macroplastique and BTX-A injections, VUDS.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary end point was the overall treatment rate of VUR at 3 months and the secondary outcomes were the success rate (treated + improved) and the comparison of urodynamic parameters (pre-and post-injection).

RESULTS

We studied 34 intervention-naïve SCI patients. 19 had only Macroplastique (Group 1) and 15 had Macroplastique and BTX-A (Group 2). The overall treatment rate was 65.4% for group 1 and 88.9% for group 2 (P = 0.029). The overall success rate (treated + improved) was 80.8% and 94.4% respectively (P = 0.123). The comparison of follow up VUDS parameters showed a statistically significant rise in the detrusor pressure of group 1 (34.04cmH2O vs.19.2cmH2O, P = 0.008) and a drop in compliance (19.8mls/cmH2O vs.26.3mls/cmH2O, P = 0.018) as compared to baseline.

CONCLUSION

The combination of BTX-A and Macroplastique is more effective that Macroplastique alone in the management of secondary VUR in SCI patients with presumed healthy bladders.

Urinary tract infection and drug-resistant urinary tract infection after intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection versus sacral neuromodulation

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM) are effective treatments for refractory urgency urinary incontinence/overactive bladder (UUI/OAB). BTX carries a risk of urinary tract infection (UTI), which is concerning for the development of multidrug resistant (MDR) UTI. We hypothesized that BTX might carry a higher risk of UTI and MDR UTI compared with SNM and that UTI and MDR UTI risk might increase after repeat BTX injection.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included women undergoing BTX or SNM for refractory UUI/OAB in 2012-2016. UTI and MDR UTI were assessed up to 1 year post-treatment or until repeat treatment and compared between initial BTX and SNM and between repeat BTX injections. Univariate analyses included Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests and generalized linear models (GLM) with logit link function. Multivariate analyses used GLM to assess the best predictor variables for any UTI.

RESULTS

One hundred and one patients were included (28 BTX, 73 SNM). Rates of UTI (39.3% [95% CI 21.5, 59.4] BTX vs 37.0% [95% CI 26.0, 49.1] SNM) were similar in the two groups at all time intervals. One MDR UTI occurred after SNM. Risk of UTI did not increase with repeat BTX (11 out of 28 [39.3%], 6 out of 17 [35.3%], and 4 out of 7 [57.1%] after 1, 2, and ≥ 3 treatments respectively; p = 0.62). Multivariate analysis found that history of recurrent UTI (OR 2.5, 95%CI 0.98-6.39) and prolapse repair (OR 4.6, 95%CI 1.23-17.07) had increased odds of UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of UTI were similar in patients undergoing BTX and SNM. MDR UTI was rare. Patients with prior prolapse repair or recurrent UTI may be at a higher risk of UTI after either procedure.

Complications of Botox and their Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adherence to anticholinergic medications is known to be a problem in patients with overactive bladder, with only 13.2% of patients continuing anticholinergic therapy beyond 1 year D'Souza et al. (J Manag Care Pharm. 14:291-301, 2008).

RECENT FINDINGS

Prior to the advent of third line therapies such as onabotulinumtoxin A, refractory overactive bladder (OAB) was managed with augmentation cystoplasty, a lengthy surgery with associated side effects including lifetime need for self-catheterization, ileus, and metabolic disturbances. The advent of onabotulinumtoxin A has drastically reduced the rates of augmentation cystoplasties being performed for refractory OAB. However, all procedures are associated with side effects which should be relayed to the patient prior to beginning therapy, as well as their management. In the current review, we summarize the common complications following onabotulinumtoxin A injection as well as their management.

What is the ideal antibiotic prophylaxis for intravesically administered Botox injection? A comparison of two different regimens

INTRODUCTION

Onabotulinum toxin A (Botox®) administered intravescially is an effective treatment for idiopathic detrusor overactivity, of which urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common complication. The purpose of this study was to compare two prophylactic antibiotic regimens with the goal of decreasing UTI rates following intravesically administered Botox® injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of two groups of patients undergoing intravesically administered Botox® injections was performed-one with idiopathic and one with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. One group received a dose of ceftriaxone intramuscularly (IM) at the time of Botox® injection, and a second group received a 3-day course of a fluoroquinolone orally starting the day before the procedure. The rate of postprocedure UTI was examined using a χ² test. A secondary analysis was performed using logistic regression modeling to test the association between clinical characteristics and antibiotic regimen and risk of postprocedure UTIs.

RESULTS

Botox® injections were performed on 284 patients: 236 received a single dose of ceftriaxone IM and 48 received 3 days of a fluoroquinolone orally. The UTI rate was significantly lower in the fluoroquinolone group (20.8%) vs. the cephalosporin group (36%), p = 0.04. Predictors of postprocedure UTIs included single dose of antibiotics IM [odds ratio (OR 2.80, p = 0.02] and a positive preprocedure urine culture (OR 1.31, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a significantly lower rate of UTIs when patients received a 3-day course of a fluoroquinolone orally as opposed to a single dose of a third-generation cephalosporin IM. Patients with a positive preprocedure culture might benefit from an even longer duration of antibiotics at the time of Botox® injection.

OnabotulinumtoxinA injections in detrusor facilitate self-catheterisation in a patient with paraplegia and bladder outlet dyssynergia

This case report describes the case of improvement of clean intermittent catheterisation procedures after each intradetrusor administration of onabotulinumtoxinA in a 45-year-old man with L1 paraplegia with neurogenic detrusor overactivity and bladder outlet dyssynergia.On three occasions, improvement on clean intermittent catheterisation procedures appeared 10 to 14 days after intradetrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxinA and lasted for 9 months. We hypothesise a possible influence of intravesical injections of onabotulinumtoxinA on the storage reflex. We also discuss the possibility of a dispersion of onabotulinumtoxinA towards contiguous structures such as the urethral sphincter.