Considering the Effect of Combining Alpha Blockers With Bladder Antimuscarinics in Treatment of Overactive Bladder Symptoms

To the Editor We read the article by Burgio et al on the effectiveness of combined behavioral and drug therapy for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in men with interest. The authors aimed to examine whether combining behavioral and drug therapies improves outcomes compared with each therapy alone. The participants were randomized to 6 weeks of behavioral training alone, drug therapy (antimuscarinic plus α-blocker) alone, or combined behavioral and drug therapy. After 6 weeks, participants receiving monotherapy were stepped up to combined (behavioral plus drug therapy) for an additional 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, posttreatment mean voiding frequencies (MVF) were lower in those receiving combined therapy than drug therapy alone but were not lower than posttreatment MVF in those receiving behavioral therapy alone. Also, MVF were lower for behavioral therapy alone than for drug therapy alone. At the 12th week, improvements in MVF were also greatest for the initial combined therapy group.
Source: JAMA Internal Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research