Purpose: Using 2 anticholinergic medications simultaneously (10 to 30 mg oxybutynin, 4 mg tolterodine and/or 5 to 10 mg solifenacin) we optimized the medical therapy for children in whom single agent anticholinergic therapy failed. We evaluated efficacy, tolerability and safety.
Materials and methods: Children with refractory overactive bladder and incontinence were included in a prospective, open label protocol. Study inclusion criteria were persistent symptoms on medical and behavioral therapy, absence of correctable neurological anomalies, and partial clinical and urodynamic responses on an optimal dose of 1 well tolerated, long acting anticholinergic. Patients were followed prospectively every 3 months. The primary end point was efficacy for continence and the secondary end points were tolerability and safety.
Results: We enrolled 14 girls and 19 boys in the study, and followed 19 patients with neurogenic bladder and 14 with overactive bladder a minimum of 3 months. Mean age at enrollment was 12 years and double medication was given for a mean of 16 months (range 3 to 42). Mean +/- SD urodynamic capacity improved from 192 +/- 92 to 380 +/- 144 ml, no deterioration in compliance was noted and maximal contraction pressure decreased from 77 +/- 27 to 18 +/- 15 cm H(2)O. Continence improved in all patients, of whom 17 were dry, and 14 and 2 were significantly and moderately improved, respectively. No, mild and moderate side effects were reported by 12, 16 and 5 patients, respectively. In 3 of the 17 patients who voided greater than 20% post-void residual urine developed. Blood tests and electrocardiogram remained normal.
Conclusions: In children with refractory overactive bladder double anticholinergic therapy is an efficient and serious alternative to surgery. Patients and families were satisfied with this nonoperative, innovative approach.