[Treatment with propantheline for urinary incontinence caused by bladder instability in the elderly]

We conducted a clinical study of a group of aged patients with established urinary incontinence due to vesical instability, in order to assess clinical response to propantheline. Mixed forms of vesical instability were excluded (associated to stress or lower urinary tract obstruction). All patients received propantheline orally at a dosage of 15 mg/6 hours. Modifications in the urinary symptomatology and the impact on functional capacity were analyzed at 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment. We observed a positive response in 63.4% of patients (36.6% curative and 26.8% improvement). Such response was observed during the first three months of treatment and persisted during the twelve months of clinical follow-up. Adverse effects were uncommon and well-tolerated by patients, being mouth dryness the most frequent symptom.