title: A prospective observational study of the effects of treatment with extended-release tolterodine on health-related quality of life of patients suffering overactive bladder syndrome in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic condition that has a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study measured changes in bother of OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over 6 months in patients treated with extended-release (ER) tolterodine in a naturalistic setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, single-cohort observational study of patients diagnosed with OAB, naïve to antimuscarinic treatment and prescribed tolterodine ER for the first time. Patients were asked to complete the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) containing a symptom bother scale (0-100) and an HRQoL scale (0-100), which measures coping, social interaction, concern and sleep, at baseline and after 3 and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 235 patients (211 women and 24 men), with a mean age of 61 years (30-87), were recruited. The numbers of patients who completed the OAB-q were 220 and 169 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The mean reductions in the symptom bother score from baseline were 19.6 and 19.3 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Significant improvement (p < 0.0001) was seen in all HRQoL subscale scores. The proportion of responders who met the minimally important difference (change in the score of 10 or more units between baseline and 6 months) was 64% for the symptom bother score and 34-60% for the total HRQoL and subscale scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OAB patients beginning treatment with tolterodine ER reported clinically significant improvement in OAB symptoms and self-perceived HRQoL over the 6 months of this observational study. The rate of discontinuation from treatment was 49%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna stråket 11,Gothenburg, Sweden. ralph.peeker@urology.gu.se
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peeker
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samsioe
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Ann-Sofie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergqvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003408:Cresols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013548:Sweden; D013577:Syndrome; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003408:Cresols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate