Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a prevalent disorder with a significant impact on quality of life. Despite this high prevalence, there is significant underdiagnosis and undertreatment due to several barriers, including embarrassment, poor communication and low patient adherence. Currently, various antimuscarinic are available in the treatment of OAB. The introduction of mirabegron has broadened the therapeutic approach and combination therapy of both agents can be valuable in clinical practice. Yet, patient adherence to most drugs for OAB is still relatively poor. Healthcare providers need to identify and utilise strategies to improve treatment adherence by defining clear treatment goals, implement educational methods and frequently communicate with patients to identify problems with adherence. The elderly population form need special attention as in these patients, anticholinergics should be prescribed with care and adequate knowledge regarding pharmacokinetics and drug interactions in essential. Furthermore, patient expectations should be clearly discussed. In this narrative review, the current advances in oral pharmacotherapy are evaluated and the most important factors involved in the management of OAB are discussed.
European urology focus. 2018 Apr 04 [Epub ahead of print]
Tom Marcelissen, Tina Rashid, Tiago Antunes Lopes, Nicolas Barry Delongchamps, Bogdan Geavlete, Malte Rieken, Jean-Nicolas Cornu, Mohammad Sajjad Rahnama'i, EAU Young Academic Urologists (YAU) functional urology working group
Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands., University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust, Leicester, UK., Faculty of Medicine Porto, Porto, Portugal., Hospital Cochin Paris, Paris, France., Urological Department, Saint John Hospital Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania., Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria., Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France., Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: .