Which are effective treatments for Reducing Nocturia among Women with Overactive Bladder?

A team of researchers from MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington D.C., by utilizing the National Institutes of Health Data and Specimen Hub database, conducted a study that included 197 female patients who reported a mean of at least 2 voids per night on a 3-day diary. These patients were divided into cohorts based on the treatment they received: anticholinergic medication, BTX 100 units, BTX 200 units, or SNM. The main outcome was to measure the change in mean voids/night on 3-day diary from baseline to 6 months.

Findings:

• One of the key findings of the study was that all treatment cohorts demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean number of voids per night at the 6-month mark.
• This reduction was a substantial 41% in mean voids per night, marking a significant improvement in the nocturia symptoms experienced by the participants.
• Importantly, this improvement was observed across all treatment modalities.
• Prior to treatment initiation, there were no significant differences noted among the cohorts in terms of the number of voids per night, demographic factors, or urodynamic values.
• However, after 6 months of treatment, the results showed consistent and substantial improvements across the board, regardless of the treatment method utilized.

Notably, the study found no significant differences in the effectiveness of the various treatments in reducing nocturia. Whether patients received anticholinergic medication, BTX (either 100 or 200 units), or SNM, the reduction in the mean number of voids per night was comparable across all groups. This suggests that multiple treatment options are equally effective in addressing the bothersome symptoms of nocturia in women with OAB.  

Further reading: Comparing Impact of Overactive Bladder Therapies on Nocturia. DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001465