A comparison of the frequencies of medical therapies for overactive bladder in men and women: analysis of more than 7.2 million aging patients.

BACKGROUND

The study of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms has historically focused on women. However, it is now evident that men, including those with benign prostatic hyperplasia, have OAB symptoms that respond to anticholinergic therapy. The current OAB treatment frequencies by gender are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare the treatment patterns among men and women diagnosed with OAB.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients ≥45 yr in the IMS Health data set with more than one diagnosis code for OAB during a 12-mo period ending December 2007.

INTERVENTION

Treated patients filled a prescription for either an anticholinergic or a tricyclic antidepressant medication; untreated patients did not.

MEASUREMENTS

Frequencies of OAB diagnoses and medical therapies by age and gender were compared.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Of the 7,244,501 patients ≥45yr with an OAB diagnosis, 24.4% of these were treated; 75.6% went untreated. Only 25.6% of those treated were men. The diagnosis and treatment frequency increased in both men and women as a function of age. However, in every age group, there was a significantly (p<0.001) decreased proportion of men treated compared with women.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite OAB prevalence, many patients receive no medical treatment. Although the usefulness of OAB medications in men is becoming increasingly recognized, men are significantly less likely to be treated with OAB medications than women.