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Use of antimuscarinics in the elderly

Bhavin Patel1, Tamara Bavendam, Gopal Badlani

  • 1Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. bpatel@wfubmc.edu

Thescientificworldjournal
|June 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Overactive bladder (OAB) is common in older adults. This review examines antimuscarinic treatments for OAB, focusing on their use and safety in the elderly population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Urology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition affecting older individuals, leading to significant healthcare costs.
  • Antimuscarinic medications are available for OAB treatment, but their use in the elderly is limited.
  • Concerns regarding side effect profiles and a lack of elderly-specific studies hinder antimuscarinic use in older patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the condition of overactive bladder (OAB) in older persons.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antimuscarinic treatments for OAB, specifically in the elderly.
  • To address the challenges and considerations for using antimuscarinics in geriatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on overactive bladder (OAB).
  • Analysis of antimuscarinic drug classes used for OAB treatment.
  • Focus on research evaluating antimuscarinic effects and side effects in elderly patients.

Main Results:

  • Antimuscarinics offer treatment options for overactive bladder (OAB).
  • Limited data exists on the specific efficacy and tolerability of antimuscarinics in the elderly.
  • Side effect profiles of antimuscarinics can be a barrier to their use in older adults.

Conclusions:

  • Overactive bladder (OAB) requires careful management in older adults.
  • Antimuscarinic selection for elderly patients necessitates consideration of side effects and limited geriatric data.
  • Further research is needed to optimize antimuscarinic therapy for OAB in the elderly.

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