Botox injections are as effective as anticholinergic therapy for the treatment of urge incontinence, say US researchers.
Their trial found no significant difference in the mean reduction in episodes of urgency urinary incontinence per day, with 3.4 fewer episodes for patients on anticholinergics and 3.3 in the botulinum toxin group.
The study investigated 241 women with moderate-to-severe urgency urinary incontinence assigned to receive solifenacin starting at 5mg daily or a single botulinum toxin A injection.
Long-term follow-up showed no significant difference between the groups in terms of number who had adequate control of symptoms 12 months after discontinuation.
The researchers concluded: ‘The choice between these therapies should take into account the differing regimens and routes of administration and the side-effect profiles.’
NEJM, available online 4 October
