OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of the antimuscarinic agent solifenacin on urinary urgency, using a range of novel and established outcome measures, as urgency is the principal symptom of the overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study (SUNRISE, solifenacin in the treatment of urgency symptoms of OAB in a rising dose, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, efficacy trial) was a randomized, double‐blind, 16‐week, placebo‐controlled, multicentre study of solifenacin 5/10 mg in 863 patients with symptoms of OAB for ≥3 months. The primary efficacy variable was the change from baseline to endpoint in the number of episodes of severe urgency with or without urgency incontinence per 24 h, as measured using the Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale, grade 3 + 4. Secondary efficacy variables included patient‐reported outcomes for bladder condition, urgency bother and treatment satisfaction. A 3‐day voiding diary was used to record micturition frequency and episodes of urgency and incontinence. A 7‐day diary was used to assess speed of onset of effect. RESULTS Solifenacin 5/10 mg was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the mean number of episodes of severe urgency with or without incontinence per 24 h from baseline to endpoint (−2.6 vs −1.8, P < 0.001). There were also statistically significant differences in favour of solifenacin 5/10 mg over placebo for all secondary variables measured at endpoint, including patient‐reported outcomes. There was a significant improvement in urgency as early as day 3 of treatment. Treatment‐emergent adverse events with solifenacin 5/10 mg were mainly mild or moderate in severity, and only led to discontinuation in 3.6% of patients. CONCLUSION Solifenacin significantly reduced the number of urgency episodes and the extent of urgency bother, and was well tolerated; it was effective as early as day 3 of treatment.

Introduction: This study aims to compare the efficacy of propiverine hydrochloride immediate release (IR), propiverine hydrochloride extended release (ER) and placebo for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome. The primary outcome measure is incontinence episode frequency, with secondary outcome measures including mean volume per void and quality of life as assessed on King’s Health Questionnaire. Material and Methods: The double-blind, double-dummy, randomized study compared IR 15 mg twice daily, ER 30 mg once daily and placebo in 3 parallel groups. After a run-in period of 7 days, the patients were treated for 32 days. Nine hundred and eighty-eight patients were randomized, and 910 patients completed the protocol without major violations. Results: The number of incontinence episodes/24 h decreased by 2.26 in the IR group (p < 0.001 vs. placebo), by 2.46 in the ER group (p < 0.0001 vs. placebo) and by 1.75 in the placebo group. The most frequent adverse event was dry mouth with 22.8% of the patients in the IR group, 21.7% in the ER group and 6.4% in the placebo group. The overall tolerability was rated ‘very good’ or ‘good’ by more than 80% of the investigators and patients in all 3 groups. Conclusions: Propiverine ER 30 mg once daily and propiverine IR 15 mg twice daily significantly reduce the number of incontinence episodes/24h within a treatment period of 32 days. Both formulations are safe and well tolerated. The extended release formulation of propiverine is a suitable new option for the treatment of the overactive bladder.

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