Incontinence drug utilization patterns in Québec, Canada

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacology
• Urology

Background:

• Urinary incontinence affects a significant portion of the elderly population.
• Oxybutynin and flavoxate are commonly prescribed medications for managing urinary incontinence symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prescription renewal and drug switch patterns for oxybutynin and flavoxate in elderly patients with urinary incontinence in Quebec.
• To assess the long-term adherence and treatment persistence with these medications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of drug claims data from patients aged 65 years and older in Quebec.
• Inclusion criteria: at least one claim for oxybutynin or flavoxate between January 1994 and December 1997.
• Analysis included determining renewal rates, switch rates between the two drugs, and constructing survival curves for treatment duration.

Main Results:

• Low prescription renewal rates were observed: 39.3% for oxybutynin and 36.6% for flavoxate.
• Higher rates of switching from flavoxate to oxybutynin were noted compared to the reverse.
• Survival analysis showed a low probability of continuous treatment for 6 months (11.4% for oxybutynin, 5.7% for flavoxate).

Conclusions:

• Both oxybutynin and flavoxate exhibit low drug claim renewal rates in the elderly population.
• The findings suggest that current spending on these incontinence therapies may not yield adequate clinical benefits due to high discontinuation rates.
• Premature treatment discontinuation highlights a need for improved therapeutic strategies or patient management for urinary incontinence.