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Summary Aims In spite of the reported efficacy and safety of antimuscarinics in men with OAB (overactive bladder) and BPO (benign prostatic obstruction), many patients do not persist with the treatment. We aimed to evaluate persistence and the reasons for the discontinuation of solifenacin add-on therapy in men with residual symptoms of OAB after tamsulosin monotherapy for BPO in a real clinical environment. Methods Men aged ≥ 45 years with IPSS ≥ 12 and symptoms of OAB (OAB-V8 ≥ 8, micturition ≥ 8/24 h, urgency ≥ 2/24 h) were prescribed tamsulosin 0.2 mg. After 4 weeks, men who had residual symptoms of OAB (OAB-V8 ≥ 8, micturition ≥ 8/24 h, urgency ≥ 1/24 h) and reported that they were ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘a little satisfied’ with the therapy were enrolled and prescribed solifenacin 5 mg in combination with tamsulosin. After 52 weeks, persistence and the reasons for the discontinuation of solifenacin were evaluated. Factors related to persistence were analysed. Results Of the 305 men who had been treated with tamsulosin, 176 were prescribed solifenacin. After 52 weeks, 44 (25%) remained on solifenacin therapy. Of the 132 who discontinued solifenacin, 85 were evaluated on the reason for discontinuation. The three most common reasons for discontinuation were adverse events (AEs) (35%), lack of efficacy (33%), and improvement in symptoms (16%). The aggravation of voiding symptoms was the most common AE leading to discontinuation. Retention was observed in 11 men. None of the demographical or clinical characteristics were significantly related to persistence. Conclusions Only 25% men with OAB and BPO remained on antimuscarinic add-on therapy after 1 year, mostly because of AEs and lack of efficacy. Realistic data should be added to what is already known about antimuscarinic treatment in men by including patients who were excluded or who dropped out of well-designed clinical trials.

Summary Aim: Standardised traditional outcome measures may fail to address factors that are important to patients and address irrelevant factors. Aim of this study was to assess patient-reported goals and goal achievement (GA) in the antimuscarinic treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) patients. Methods: Men and women aged ≥ 18 years with OAB symptoms were eligible for the study. Treatment began with a dose of 10 mg oxybutynin, to be increased if necessary to 30 mg. Before treatment, each patient’s primary treatment goal was identified. After 12-week treatment, patients reported GA using a Likert scale from 0 (no achievement) to 5 (complete achievement). Successful achievement was defined as a score of 4 or 5. Traditional outcome measures including voiding diaries, the OAB questionnaire short form, patient perception of bladder condition, and treatment benefit and satisfaction were assessed. Baseline characteristics affecting GA and the correlation between GA and traditional outcome measures were evaluated. Results: A total of 303 goals were identified from 303 patients (51 men, 252 women). Of those, 72.3% addressed symptom relief and frequency as the most common target symptom. Other goals addressed were improving quality of life (13.5%) and eliminating coping behaviours (14.2%). After treatment, 42% had a successful GA with a median score of 3 (interquartile range; 2–4). Age had a negative effect on GA. Goal achievement was the outcome measure most correlated with treatment benefit and satisfaction. Discussion and Conclusions: Goal achievement can be a valuable outcome measure in OAB patients, addressing individual treatment goals and reflecting treatment benefit and patient satisfaction.

Summary Aims: Efficacy of antimuscarinic therapy for overactive bladder (OAB) has been demonstrated; however, the durability of its effects is unknown. The study was conducted to evaluate symptom change and retreatment rate after discontinuation of antimuscarinic therapy. Also, we tried to find risk factors for retreatment. Methods: This was a prospective, randomised, open-label, multicentre trial at four university hospitals. Women who had OAB symptoms for ≥ 6 months and who showed successful response to 1 month of Tolterodine 4 mg medication were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (A) discontinue medication, (B) 2-month additional medication and (C) 5-month additional medication. After completion of the 1-, 3- or 6-month treatment, patients stopped the medication and were followed up for additional 3 months to assess symptom relapse and retreatment rates. Risk factors for retreatment were evaluated. Results: Of a total of 558 patients who took the study medication, 173 were randomised and 108 (A: 40, B: 40, C: 28) were included in the analysis. At the end of the treatment, the mean micturition frequency was decreased to 8.3/24 h from 11.7/24 h, and the mean urgency episode was decreased to 2.2/24 h from 8.0/24 h. Three months after discontinuation, the micturition frequency and the urgency episode were increased to 9.1/24 and 4.4/24 h respectively. Sixty five per cent of patients requested retreatment, and 62% experienced symptom relapse. Baseline health-related quality of life was the only independent risk factor for retreatment. Discussion and conclusion: Discontinuation of antimuscarinic therapy resulted in high symptom relapse and retreatment rates regardless of treatment duration. The results provide new information on the durability of the efficacy of antimuscarinics, and may improve treatment efficacy by promoting the medication persistence of antimuscarinics in OAB patients.