Overactive bladder (OAB) is defined by its hallmark symptom, urgency.
It can be associated with urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and dramatically impact the patients' quality of life. Etiologies of OAB are numerous, and under this common wording, virtually all the population is covered (men as well as women, patients with or without neurogenic disease, and all age categories). OAB and UUI management have been historically based on non-interventional therapies, antimuscarinics, and surgery. In the last decade, innovations in the treatment of this highly prevalent condition have been multiple, and further insights came from various horizons (drug invention, innovative use of existing drugs, new medical devices, tissue engineering, gene and cell therapy). Notably, the use of BoNT and neuromodulation techniques have deeply modified the algorithm of specialized OAB management, delaying surgery indications and offering mini-invasive alternatives to patient refractory to behavioral and medical treatment. Whilst some of these techniques are about to reach maturity, numerous questions remain unsolved about their indications, long term effects, rank in the armamentarium, cost-effectiveness, hypothetical combination or sequential use. The present review depicts the actual wide range of options available for OAB management in adults, focusing on the latest evolutions. When relevant, a distinction was made between genders and OAB subtypes (idiopathic vs neurogenic) regarding treatment outcomes.
Written by:
Cornu JN. Are you the author?
Urology Unit, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
Reference: Minerva Urol Nefrol. 2013 Mar;65(1):21-39.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23538308
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