Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation: evaluation of a therapeutic option in the management of anticholinergic refractory overactive bladder

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 2014-08, Vol.25 (8), p.1065-1069
• Main Authors: Ammi, Myriam, Chautard, Denis, Brassart, Elena, Culty, Thibaut, Azzouzi, Abdel Rahmène, Bigot, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Cholinergic Antagonists - therapeutic use; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Organ Size; Original Article; Prospective Studies; Retreatment; Severity of Illness Index; Tibial Nerve; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Treatment Failure; Urinary Bladder - anatomy & histology; Urinary Bladder, Overactive - therapy; Urology
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-014-2359-0

Introduction and hypothesis This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS) in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) after failure of a first-line anticholinergic treatment. Materials and methods We performed a prospective observational study and included all patients treated in a single center for OAB persisting after first-line anticholinergic treatment from November 2010 to May 2013. The protocol consisted of daily stimulation at home. The efficacy end point was defined as improvement on the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) and the French-validated urinary symptom score Mesure du Handicap Urinaire (MHU). Results We assessed 43 consecutive patients. TPTNS was successful following 1 month of treatment in 23 (53 %) patients. Bladder capacity was the only predictive factor for treatment success ( p  = 0.044). For patients who showed improved symptoms ( n  = 23; 53 %), mean MHU and USP decreased significantly, from 11.8 ± 2.8 to 5.6 ± 3 ( p