Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common clinical problem with associated morbidities both in men and women. Although real-life management strategies have been examined among urologists (URO), treatment choices may differ between different specialties. In the present study, an online survey was conducted to determine and compare the management strategies and clinical preferences of UROs, obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYN), and geriatricians (GER) in the treatment of OAB in their daily practices.
Between December 2020 and February 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to URO, OB/GYN, and GER specialists/residents. Current strategies and attitudes toward treatment of OAB in patients <65 years were compared between URO and OB/GYN, whereas the responses were compared between all three specialties in patients ≥65 years.
A total of 733 specialists/physicians (433 URO, 236 OB/GYN, and 64 GER) completed the online survey. Patients with OAB were more likely to present to URO compared to OB/GYN and GER (p = 0.001). A combination of behavioral modification and pharmacotherapy (antimuscarinics and/or beta-3 agonists) were chosen for the initial treatment of patients with OAB in both specialties with a significantly higher proportion by URO than by OB/GYN (51.9% vs. 38.1%; p = 0.001). Antimuscarinics were the most frequently prescribed medications by both the URO and OB/GYN specialties (81.8% vs. 78.4%; p = 0.27). Combination therapy with antimuscarinics was preferred more often by URO (91.5% vs. 77.1%; p = 0.001) when no or an inadequate response after initial treatment occurred. Multiple medication use, comorbidities, and risk of cognitive side effects affected medication preference by all specialists, especially by GER (p = 0.018).
Patients with OAB present to UROs, OB/GYN and GER more frequently compared to other specialities. Although antimuscarinics and beta-3 adrenoceptor agonists are equally recommended as first-line pharmacotherapy for OAB, antimuscarinics were preferred for most patients as the initial molecule by all specialties. Beta-3 agonists are increasingly preferred for elderly patients.
Neurourology and urodynamics. 2022 Sep 18 [Epub ahead of print]
Rahmi Onur, Ömer Bayrak, Burhan Coşkun, Ahmet Tahra, Gokhan Ocakoglu, Gorkem Buyuran, Ertunc Mega, Funda Gungor Ugurlucan, Gulistan Bahat Ozturk
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey., Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey., Department of Bioistatistic, School of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sancaktepe Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey., Department of Geriatrics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.