Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores responsiveness before and after anticholinergic treatment in women with overactive bladder: The pilot study.

AIM: The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate change of Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) from before to after solifenacin treatment; and (ii) to evaluate correlation between change of OABSS and 3-day micturition diary, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC).

METHODS: Thirty-six women, aged > 18 years, diagnosed as having overactive bladder (OAB) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, with the symptoms of urgency, frequency with or without urge incontinence for more than 3 months, and at least three episodes of urgency with or without incontinence during the last 3 days prior to the study, were recruited during January 2010-May 2011. All cases received solifenacin 5-mg treatment once a day and were asked to record a 3-day micturition diary and to complete the Thai version of the OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC questionnaires at weeks 0, 4, and 12 after treatment.

RESULTS: The OABSS, IPSS, and PPBC scores and all parameters of the 3-day micturition diary had changed significantly by weeks 4 and 12. The OABSS correlated significantly with IPSS score (r = 0.44), PPBC score (r = 0.39), and urgency episodes (r = 0.48).

CONCLUSION: The OABSS had good responsiveness, similar to the other questionnaires (the IPSS and PPBC) and the 3-day micturition diary. The use of OABSS is recommended in OAB women for evaluation after anticholinergic drug treatment.