European Urology

Abstract

Background

Until now no confirmatory clinical trial in children suffering from nonneurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence could demonstrate superiority for antimuscarinics over placebo.

Objectives

The following study was conducted to prove efficacy and tolerability of propiverine compared to placebo.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial with parallel-group design in children aged 5–10 yr was performed. Prior to the 8-wk medical therapy urologic baseline diagnostics, a 3-wk lifestyle advice (urotherapy) was established.

Intervention

After re-evaluation of in- and exclusion criteria and uroflowmetry, only children fulfilling the requested criteria were allocated to a body-weight-adjusted therapy (10 or 15 mg propiverine twice daily or corresponding placebo).

Measurements

Efficacy parameters derived from bladder diary and a micturition volume protocol. Decrease in voiding frequency per day was chosen as primary efficacy parameter; secondary endpoints included voided volume and incontinence episodes. A safety assessment was conducted.

Results and Limitations

Of 171 randomized children, 87 were treated with propiverine and 84 with placebo. The primary efficacy parameter showed a decrease in voiding frequency (−2.0 episodes for propiverine versus −1.2 for placebo; p = 0.0007). Superiority could also be demonstrated for voided volume (31.4 vs. 5.1 ml; p < 0.0001) and incontinence episodes (−0.5 vs. −0.2 episodes per d; p = 0.0005). The trial design did not allow for separate evaluation of the effect of urotherapy prior to medical treatment. Propiverine was well-tolerated in children. Altogether 23% of side-effects were reported for propiverine and 20% for placebo.

Conclusions

This clinical trial showed superior efficacy of propiverine over placebo and good tolerability for the treatment of children suffering from OAB and urinary incontinence. An important additional factor for the success of the trial was a modified trial design with previous urotherapy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00603343.

Take Home Message

This randomized clinical trial confirms significant superiority of the antimuscarinic propiverine over placebo in all efficacy parameters and demonstrates convincing tolerability for the treatment of children aged 5 to 10 yr with OAB and urinary incontinence.