Short-term results of the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation on urinary symptoms and its financial cost

Abstract

Objective:Overactive bladder (OAB) affects 16.9% of women in the United States. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a third-line treatment for patients who are refractory to behavioral and pharmacologic therapies. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PTNS on urinary symptoms in patients diagnosed as having refractory OAB and investigate the cost of medications and clinical visits before and after PTNS treatment.Material and Methods:We reviewed 60 women with refractory OAB treated with PTNS. Episodes of urinary frequency, leakage, urgency, and nocturia; number of follow-up visits; and medications were recorded. The mean quarterly drug, physician, nurse, and provider costs were calculated. The episodes of urinary symptoms, numbers of follow-up visits, and costs of medications and visits before and after PTNS were compared.Results:Of the 60 patients with refractory OAB, 24 patients who completed 12 weekly sessions of initial PTNS were evaluated. The number of urinary symptoms and follow-up visits significantly decreased after PTNS (p<0.05). The average quarterly medication cost decreased from $656.36±292.45 to $375.51±331.79 after PTNS (p=0.001). After PTNS, quarterly physician and nurse visit costs decreased from $81.73±70.39 to $25.89±54.40 and from $55.23±38.32 to $15.53±19.58, respectively (p<0.05). The quarterly total provider cost was similar before and after PTNS.Conclusion:PTNS treatment significantly improved urinary symptoms of patients with refractory OAB and reduced the costs of medications and physician and nurse visits.

Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus parasacral stimulation in the treatment of overactive bladder in elderly people: a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial

“…The findings of this study corroborate those of a previous retrospective study in which 24 elderly patients, with a mean age of 70.25±11.14 years, received 30 minutes of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation once a week for 12 weeks and showed a reduction of urgency episodes, urge urinary incontinence and nocturia (16). In a previous retrospective study, 62 women with OAB, with a mean age of 72.7 years, underwent 12 sessions of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and presented a decrease in urgency and urge urinary incontinence episodes (17); therefore, the electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve seems to be effective in the treatment of OAB in adults and elderly people.…”

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Detrusor Overactivity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Narrative Review

“…Due to differences in health-care systems across countries, the reported costs vary. For instance, Kurdoglu et al [45] reported that third-line PTNS in Texas reduced the costs of medications, physician and nurse visits in OAB patients. Despite the financial advantages, PTNS was not commonly utilized among patients undergoing third-line treatment for OAB.…”