Characteristics of antimuscarinic responders versus suboptimal responders in a randomized clinical trial of patients with overactive bladder symptoms

Objective: To assess the characteristics of tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4?mg responders and suboptimal responders (≤50% decrease in UUI episodes/24?h) among patients with overactive bladder (OAB), including urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and identify predictors of a >50% UUI response with fesoterodine 8?mg in tolterodine suboptimal responders.

Methods: Adult patients with OAB symptoms for ≥6 months and ≥8 micturitions, and ≥2 and <15 UUI episodes/24?h at week ?2 received open-label tolterodine ER 4?mg during a 2 week run-in. Suboptimal responders after tolterodine treatment (week 0) were randomized to fesoterodine (4?mg for 1 week, 8?mg for weeks 2–12) or placebo once daily. Post-hoc analyses compared the percentage change from week ?2 to week 0 in UUI episodes/24?h in tolterodine responders versus suboptimal responders and identified significant predictors of a UUI response at week 12 with fesoterodine 8?mg among tolterodine suboptimal responders.

Results: Of 897 patients, 610 (68%) were UUI suboptimal responders during the run-in period. UUI episodes/24?h at week ?2 were similar in tolterodine responders and suboptimal responders (4.2 vs. 4.3), but responders showed a significantly greater median percentage decrease in UUI episodes/24?h after tolterodine treatment at week 0 (80.0% versus 15.3%; p?p?=?.0027). Fesoterodine (vs. placebo), no previous antimuscarinic use before tolterodine run-in, and less UUI severity at baseline were significant predictors of a UUI response.

Conclusions: For patients with OAB, including UUI, who were treated initially with tolterodine and showed a suboptimal UUI response, nearly 70% demonstrated a UUI response with second-line fesoterodine 8?mg. No antimuscarinic use before tolterodine and fewer baseline UUI episodes were significant predictors of a UUI response with fesoterodine.