Is it possible to cure the symptoms of the overactive bladder in women?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of discontinuing treatment with mirabegron once symptoms have subsided in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS: The present study evaluated a total of 159 female OAB patients (age 62.9 ± 12.36), each of which were prescribed 50 mg/day mirabegron (Time point 1-T1). Data obtained from voiding diaries and patient-reported outcome variables were assessed during follow-up visits at months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 (T2), and 21 (T4). At the 18-month visit, patients with an Urgency Bother-Visual Analog Scale score of ≤ 50% were advised to stop treatment with mirabegron. Upon re-emergence or worsening of OAB symptoms, patients were allowed to start taking medication again at their discretion (T3). Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test. An ANOVA analysis and a two-sample t test were used to evaluate differences between groups.

RESULTS: A total of 56 out of 159 (35.3%) patients took 50 mg of mirabegron daily between T1 and T2. A total of 17 out of 56 patients (30.4%) did not meet the criteria for mirabegron discontinuation (Group A). A total of 24 out of 56 patients (42.9%) stopped taking the medication temporarily, but later returned to treatment (Group B). The average time span between T2 and T3 was 53.9 days. Fifteen of 56 patients (26.8%) ceased treatment with mirabegron without starting it again before T4 (Group C). The average time span between T2 and T4, in Group C, was 124.7 days.

CONCLUSION: A small percentage of OAB patients were able to discontinue mirabegron due to symptom cessation.