Healthcare and economic burden of anticholinergic use in adults with overactive bladder: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Aim: To determine the economic burden associated with anticholinergic medication use in adults with overactive bladder (OAB) in the USA. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles assessing healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with anticholinergic use in adults with OAB. Results: From the 34 articles identified, increased anticholinergic burden, switching anticholinergic treatments and potentially inappropriate anticholinergic use were associated with increased HCRU and/or costs. However, studies comparing patients with OAB receiving anticholinergics to individuals with untreated OAB or without OAB reported a mix of increases and decreases in HCRU and costs. Conclusion: Additional controlled studies assessing the economic impact of anticholinergics in OAB are needed and may enable optimization of economic and potentially patient outcomes.

Prevalence of overactive bladder in Chinese women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…According to studies, the prevalence of OAB in women aged 18 years and above varies widely, ranging from approximately 17% to 43% in Europe and the United States [2][3][4][5][6] to approximately 1.9% to 53.8% in Asia [7][8][9][10][11]. Relevant reports have also demonstrated that OAB affects patients' quality of life (QOL) and incurs high medical costs [12]. There may be many OAB patients in China's enormous population, and reliable estimates of OAB prevalence are necessary.…”

Penny-wise but Pound-foolish: The Hidden Costs of Step Therapy for Overactive Bladder

“…A recent systematic review found that increasing anticholinergic use or burden, low persistence, and potentially inappropriate anticholinergic use (as defined by Beers Criteria) were all associated with increased health care utilization and costs to the payer. 9 In addition, a cost-effectiveness model that considered anticholinergic-related adverse events found that a b 3 -adrenergic receptor agonist can be cost-effective compared with anticholinergics from a commercial and Medicare payer perspective. 10 Health plans should reevaluate, and consider abandoning, requirements to trial anticholinergic treatments before other treatment options for overactive bladder.…”