Clinical efficacy of distigmine bromide in the treatment of patients with underactive detrusor.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of distigmine bromide, an anticholinesterase agent, deemed to improve detrusor function thereby restoring normal voiding patterns in patients suffering from detrusor underactivity.


METHODS
A total of 27 patients (11 men and 16 women) with poor detrusor function were included in the study. The diagnosis was established using pressure-flow studies. All patients received distigmine bromide at a dose of 5 mg three times daily for 4 weeks and re-attended for a follow-up urodynamic investigation. The results of baseline pressure-flow studies were compared to those after completion of treatment.


RESULTS
Treatment with distigmine bromide resulted in a statistically significant reduction of residual volume and percent residual volume, obviating the need for intermittent self-catheterisation in 11 patients. In addition, maximum flow rate and detrusor pressure at maximum flow increased, although not significantly. The drug was generally well tolerated by the majority of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Distigmine bromide shows clinical efficacy in patients with poor detrusor function and may therefore be used alternatively in selected cases.
Bougas
Dimitrios A
DA
1st Department of Urology, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Mitsogiannis
Iraklis C
IC
Mitropoulos
Dionisios N
DN
Kollaitis
Gerasimos C
GC
Serafetinides
Efrem N
EN
Giannopoulos
Aris M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; C084645:distigmine