Six-Month Results of Selective Bladder Denervation in Women with Refractory Overactive Bladder

We report 6-month efficacy and safety outcomes of selective bladder denervation in women with refractory overactive bladder.

Women with refractory overactive bladder and urgency urinary incontinence were enrolled in 2 prospective feasibility studies with the same entry criteria. They underwent selective bladder denervation of the subtrigonal region containing afferent sensory nerves. Patients were followed for 6 months and assessed for adverse events, overactive bladder symptoms and health related quality of life measures.

In the 35 women with a mean age of 66 years who were enrolled in the study all selective bladder denervation procedures were completed successfully. During 6 months of followup the symptom improvement based on 3-day bladder diaries was 59% for urgency urinary incontinence (p <0.001), 59% for urinary incontinence (p <0.001), 39% for urgency (p <0.001), 9% for urinary frequency (p = 0.01) and 27% for the total urgency and frequency score (p <0.001). Most of this treatment benefit was realized in the first month. The rate of clinical success, defined as a 50% or greater reduction in urgency urinary incontinence, was 70%, treatment benefit was reported in 75% of patients and the dry/cure rate was 27%. Statistically significant improvements during 6 months were identified on the symptom bother and health related quality of life scales on the OAB-q (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire) and on all KHQ (King's Health Questionnaire) domains except general health perception. Device or procedure related adverse events were reported in 6 patients (17%).

Pooled results of 2 prospective feasibility studies suggest that selective bladder denervation is a promising minimally invasive treatment option in women with refractory overactive bladder.