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J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 50(11); 2007 > Article
Lee and Lee: Pharmacological Therapy for Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Urinary incontinence is an important lower urinary tract symptom that negatively affects the quality of life. Urgency incontinence (UI) is urine loss accompanied by urgency, which is the chief complaint of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. OAB is defined as urgency, with or without UI, usually with frequency and nocturia. In contrast, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) involves involuntary urine leakage caused by a sudden increase in abdominal pressure. Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity, and the underlying causes. Treatment options fall into four broad categories: lifestyle intervention, bladder retraining and/or pelvic floor muscle training, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. Pharmacotherapy is often the first-line therapy for OAB/UI, either alone or as an adjunct to various nonpharmacological therapies. Effectiveness of anticholinergic drugs for OAB/UI has been assessed in various observational and randomized controlled trials. Despite their side effects, anticholinergics are the first-line agents for UI. Tricyclic antidepressants have complex pharmacological actions such as anticholinergic, alpha adrenergic, antihistaminic, and local anesthetic properties. Recently approved anticholinergics, solifenacin and darifenacin, are selective M3 antagonists that may have tolerable side effects. Transdermal oxybutynin may offer comparable efficacy with oral formulation but lower side effects. In the absence of an effective and well tolerated drug for SUI, pharmacological therapy for this condition has remained in the off-label prescription of some products, particularly estrogens and α-adrenergic agonists. Duloxetine is the drug of choice specifically aimed at SUI. This article outlines the current state and future development in pharmacological therapy for urinary incontinence.

References

1. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, Griffiths D, Rosier P, Ulmsten U, Van Kerrebroeck P, Victor A, Wein A. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: Report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Urology 2003;61:37-39.

2. Andersson KE, Appell R, Cardozo L, Chapple C, Drutz HP, Finkbeiner AE, Haab F, Vela Navarrete R. In: Abrams P, Cardozo L, Khoury S, Wein A, editor. Pharmacological treatment of urinary incontinence. Incontinence, 3rd International Consultation on Incontinence 2005;21th ed. France: Health Publication Ltd. 811-854.

3. Nitti VW, Raz S. Obstruction following anti-incontinence procedures: Diagnosis and treatment with transvaginal urethrolysis. J Urol 1994;152:93-98.

4. Lee KS, Choo MS, Kim DY, Kim JC, Kim HJ, Min KS, Lee JB, Jeong HJ, Lee T, Park WH. Combination treatment with propiverine hydrochloride plus doxazosin controlled release gastrointestinal therapeutic system formulation for overactive bladder and coexisting benign prostatic obstruction: a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter study. J Urol 2005;10. 174(4 Pt 1):1334-1338.

5. Thor KB, Katofiasc MA. Effects of duloxetine, a combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, on central neural control of lower urinary tract function in the chloralose-anesthesized female cat. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1995;274:1014-1024.

Figure 1
Prevalence (%) of urinary incontinence by age in female.
jkma-50-1025-g001-l.jpg
Figure 2
Initial management of urinary incontinence in men (3rd International Consultation on Incontinence, Monaco, 2004).
jkma-50-1025-g002-l.jpg
Figure 3
Initial management of urinary incontinence in women (3rd International Consultation on Incontinence, Monaco, 2004).
jkma-50-1025-g003-l.jpg
Figure 4
Bladder Effects of Antimuscarinics.
By inhibiting the effects of acetylcholine, generated from non-nervous sources (urothelium) or leaking from cholinergic nerves during the filling phase, antimuscarinics may inhibit detrusor overactivity and urgency.
jkma-50-1025-g004-l.jpg
Table 1
The standardization of terminology in lower urinary tract function (1)
jkma-50-1025-i001-l.jpg
Table 2
Causes of overactive bladder
jkma-50-1025-i002-l.jpg
Table 3
Condition-specific treatments for incontinence
jkma-50-1025-i003-l.jpg

*With or without intermittent self-catheterization.

These treatments must be considered investigational and are "off label" in most countries.

Table 4
Drugs used in the treatment of detrusor overactivity Assessments according to the Oxford system (modified)
jkma-50-1025-i004-l.jpg

*intrathecal, **intravesical, ***bladder wall, ****nocturia

Table 5
Drugs used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence Assessments according to the Oxford system (modified)
jkma-50-1025-i005-l.jpg


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