Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of pharmacological treatment for the overactive bladder in women: A network meta-analysis

Background and objective Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a common medical condition that causes significant distress and impact on the quality of life in women. Muscarinic receptor antagonists remain the mainstay of therapy, but they are limited by their efficacy and adverse effects. The objective of the article was to compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of medications used to treat OAB in women through network meta- analysis. Methods Data from eligible studies of commonly prescribed pharmacological agents in the treatment of OAB in women were entered into NetMetaXL after a literature search using two online databases (PubMed and Cochrane). Studies between 31 July 2000 and 31 July 2015 were included in this study. Results Five quantitative studies were eligible for analysis. The most efficacious drug to treat OAB in women appears to be solifenacin 10 mg once daily (OD), followed by oxybutynin 3 mg three times a day. However, solifenacin 10 mg OD caused more adverse effects that the other treatments. Discussion Our results are similar to those of another systematic review. When considering efficacy, tolerability and cost, solifenacin 5 mg once daily is the drug of choice as it is more efficacious, albeit with more adverse effects, than other treatments. If solifenacin is unsuitable, oxybutynin 3 mg TDS is recommended.