Anticholinergic medications improve overactive bladder syndrome

Although the number of participants in 12 research was not reported, the remaining included studies included a total of 47,106 individuals. 

The bulk of the research lacked sufficient data to assess bias risk, and we found that they were ambiguous across all areas. 

In these investigations, nine anticholinergic medications were used. 

Studies comparing anticholinergic medications versus no therapy were not identified.

Anticholinergics may marginally improve the quality of life associated with the disease after the therapy term. 

In terms of patient perception of a cure or improvement and the average number of urgency episodes per 24 hours, anticholinergics are probably superior to placebo. 

Anticholinergics may increase side effects related to dry mouth and may raise the risk of urine retention when compared to placebo. 

Anticholinergic use may increase the likelihood that study participants may drop out owing to negative outcomes. 

In contrast to a placebo, using anticholinergics likely lowers the average number of urinations each day.

Reference: 

Hay-Smith, J., Herbison, P., Ellis, G., & Moore, K. (2002). Anticholinergic drugs versus placebo for overactive bladder syndrome in adults. In J. Hay-Smith (Ed.), The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Protocol). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003781