Difficult Urination Does Not Affect the Successful Outcome after 100U OnabotulinumtoxinA Intravesical Injection in Patients with Idiopathic Detrusor Overactivity

Objectives: Intravesical injection of onabotulinumtoxinA (i.e. Botox) provides effective treatment for overactive bladder. However, treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) remain problems. This study investigated the effect of AEs after onabotulinumtoxinA injection on the success rate for idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO). Methods: A total of 174 patients who received the first single intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA 100U injection for refractory IDO were included. The onabotulinumtoxinA related AEs including acute urinary retention (AUR), large postvoid residual (PVR, ≥150 mL), difficult urination, urinary tract infection, gross hematuria and general weakness were recorded. The success rate was determined based on patient perception of bladder condition improved by two scales. The short‐term (3 months) and long‐term (up to 24 months) success rates were analyzed according to the occurrence of these AEs. Results: A successful outcome was reported by 138 (79.3%) patients at 3 months. AUR occurred in 12 (6.9%) patients, large PVR developed in 81 (46.6%) and 73 (42%) needed straining to void. Gross hematuria occurred in 17 (9.8%) patients, urinary tract infection developed in 27 (15.5%) and general weakness was noted in 6 (3.4%). The occurrence of AUR did not affect the therapeutic results. Patients having large PVR and difficult urination had a significantly higher success rate at 3 months. Long‐term success rates up to 24 months showed no significant difference between patients with and without AEs. Conclusions: AEs after intravesical 100U onabotulinumtoxinA for IDO were frequently encountered. However, the occurrence of AUR, large PVR or difficult urination did not affect the final therapeutic outcome.     

Pathophysiology of refractory overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition. The International Continence Society defines OAB as a symptom complex characterized by urgency with or without urge incontinence, usually with frequency and nocturia. The first‐line treatment for OAB includes behavioral therapy, such as caffeine reduction, fluid intake modification, weight reduction, bladder training, and pelvic floor muscle training, as well as treatment with antimuscarinic or β₃‐adrenoceptor agonist medications. However, less than half of all cases achieve satisfactory outcomes following first‐line treatment. Second‐line therapy considered if satisfactory responses are not achieved after 8 to 12 weeks treatment with first‐line therapy include intradetrusor botulinum toxin injection, neuromodulation, and surgical treatment. Patients with refractory OAB may have more severe symptoms or underlying pathophysiologies that were not resolved by the initial medication. The pathophysiologies of refractory OAB include occult neurogenic bladder, undetected bladder outlet obstruction, urethral‐related OAB, urothelial dysfunction with aging, chronic bladder ischemia, chronic bladder inflammation, central sensitization, and autonomic dysfunction. This article discusses the possible pathophysiologies of refractory OAB.     

Botulinum Toxin A Injections for Non-neurogenic Overactive Bladder

Intravesical botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection is effective and has been approved in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in patients who are refractory or intolerable to antimuscarinic therapy. Intravesical BoNT-A injection increases bladder capacity, decreases detrusor pressure, and reduces the urgency sensation in OAB patients. Although clinical experiences have demonstrated a dose-dependent therapeutic effect of BoNT-A, the adverse events such as acute urinary retention, voiding difficulty, large post-void residual, and subsequent urinary tract infection remain problematic and increase with higher doses in frail elderly patients. Currently, 100 U of onabotulinumtoxinA has been approved by many countries for the treatment of patients with non-neurogenic OAB. The duration of therapeutic effect is around 6 to 9 months and usually remains the same after repeat treatments. The injection sites can involve the bladder wall with or without sparing the trigone. Gathered experience has also shown that BoNT-A injection is also effective in the treatment of OAB symptoms in children and in patients with stroke or Parkinson’s disease. Before BoNT-A injection, physicians should learn the injection technique and inform the potential adverse events to patients who desire this treatment.     

Efficacy,Safety and Tolerability of Fesoterodine in Asian Patients with Overactive Bladder

Objectives: To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg once daily (QD) compared with placebo in Asian subjects with overactive bladder (OAB) after 12 weeks of treatment. Methods: This phase II, dose‐finding study consisted of a 2‐week placebo run‐in period followed by a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, treatment period. Eligible subjects were aged ≥20 years with ≥8 micturitions per 24 h and ≥1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes per 24 h reported in a 3‐day diary. The subjects were randomized to receive placebo, fesoterodine 4 mg, or fesoterodine 8 mg QD for 12 weeks. Results: Of 1232 subjects who entered the placebo run‐in period, 951 received double‐blind treatment. The mean number of UUI episodes per 24 h at baseline was 2.2 among the three treatment groups. The two fesoterodine groups showed statistically significant decreases from baseline in the mean number of UUI episodes per 24 h at week 12 (primary endpoint) compared with placebo. Most all‐causality adverse events (e.g. dry mouth and constipation) were mild or moderate. The percentage of subjects with severe adverse events was low and similar among the treatment groups (placebo, 1.3%; fesoterodine 4 mg, 1.9%; fesoterodine 8 mg, 1.0%). Conclusion: Fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg QD were significantly better than placebo in improving OAB symptoms. Overall, the two fesoterodine dosing regimens were well tolerated. These results suggest that fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg QD are effective and well‐tolerated treatments for OAB in Asian subjects.     

Promise of Urinary Nerve Growth Factor for Assessment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is highly prevalent bladder disorder in men and women. About 10–15% of the population suffers from urgency frequency with or without urgency urinary incontinence. It is estimated that 50–75% of patients with OAB may have urodynamic detrusor overactivity (DO). Urodynamic study invasive and most of the OAB patients might not accept it as a routine assessment. Therefore, a more objective and non‐invasive test for diagnosis and assessing DO from OAB patients is needed. Recently, urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) has gained great interest in detecting DO in patients with OAB. Urinary NGF level was found to increase in OAB and urodynamic DO. Urinary NGF levels correlated with severity of OAB symptoms. Patients with either idiopathic or neurogenic DO may have increased urinary NGF levels. Urinary NGF levels have been shown to decrease in patients with patients with OAB and DO who have been well treated with antimuscarinics or botulinum toxin injection, but not in those with persistent OAB after treatment. Not all patients with OAB can have an elevated urinary NGF level; it may also be increased in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and other lower urinary tract diseases, suggesting urinary NGF expression could be a product of bladder inflammation and a limited specificity of urinary NGF for diagnosing DO. The source of urinary NGF has not yet been fully explored yet. Nevertheless, urinary NGF level is likely to be a promising biomarker for diagnosis of DO from OAB patients, to monitor therapeutic outcome and predict disease progression.     

Recent Advances in Intravesical Treatment of Overactive Bladder

The traditional medication for overactive bladder (OAB) is antimuscarinic agent, which targets muscarinic receptors. Recent investigations have revealed that muscarinic receptors are present in the urothelium and suburothelial sensory fibers, as well as in the detrusor. Urothelial dysfunction and abnormality of sensory receptor expression or transmitter release in suburothelial nerves could contribute to OAB refractory to antimuscarinics. Intravesical treatment to inhibit abnormal receptor expression or transmitter release in the sensory nerve terminals in the suburothelial space might provide beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of OAB. Intravesical resiniferatoxin (RTX) instillation and intravesical botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injection are two promising treatment alternatives for refractory OAB. RTX at a high dose may cause undesired adverse events, such as hematuria, bladder pain or autonomic dysreflexia. RTX at a low concentration can decrease sensory urgency without influencing detrusor contractility; multiple instillations of low‐dose RTX may be required to achieve adequate desensitization of OAB. BoNT‐A, however, has a beneficial effect on detrusor contractility and causes large post‐void residual after injection in some patients. Therefore, careful dosage and injection site adjustment is mandatory to achieve satisfactory results using intravesical therapy.     

Non‐invasive Assessments of Pediatric Voiding Dysfunction

In the evaluation of pediatric dysfunction, the initial approach relies on non‐invasive diagnostic tools. Through these examinations, the possible etiology of pediatric voiding dysfunction may be identified, and children who require further evaluation with invasive diagnostic tools may be differentiated. In addition, these non‐invasive diagnostic tools can be used as surrogate parameters for follow‐up of voiding function in children with neurogenic or non‐neurogenic voiding dysfunction. Updated information and controversy on this issue are provided and discussed in the present review. Thorough and well‐organized history taking and focused physical examination are essential. A 2‐day bladder diary and a 14‐daysbowel movement diary, at least, should be recorded. Dysfunctional voiding symptom scores have been recommended for identifying children with possible voiding dysfunction. Consensus on which scoring system is best for clinical practice has not been reached. Low inter‐observer agreement in interpreting specific types of abnormal uroflow pattern and high inter‐observer agreement in identifying “no abnormality” make uroflowmetry a first‐line screening tool for pediatric voiding dysfunction. Optimal bladder capacity is paramount in the interpretation of uroflowmetry curves and postvoid residual urine (PVR). Voided volume <50 mL is not eligible, while bladder over‐distention may result in an abnormal uroflow pattern and increased PVR volume. Renal ultrasonography has been recommended for the evaluation of children with enuresis. However, the gain achieved through routine renosonography may be small. Thickened bladder wall thickness warrants further investigation of voiding dysfunction. However, inter‐ and intra‐examiner's variability does not yet make this examination popular.     

Defining Causes for Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Women

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the causes for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women visiting a urological clinic. Methods: We prospectively recruited female patients with OAB symptoms between December 2008 and February 2010. All patients were interviewed for their detailed personal and medical history. All patients completed a 3‐day frequency‐volume chart. Symptom severity was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaires. All patients underwent either conventional pressure‐flow urodynamic studies or video‐urodynamic studies. On the basis of these evaluations, patients were assigned to one of the following categories: idiopathic OAB, stress urinary incontinence (SUI)‐associated, neurogenic bladder, or bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Results: A total of 108 female patients were recruited into the study. The mean age of the patients was 63.75 ± 14.02 years (range: 23–89). Detrusor overactivity was demonstrated in 55 patients (51%). The differential diagnosis was idiopathic OAB in 51 women (47.2%), SUI‐associated in 46 (42.6%), neurogenic bladder in 13 (12.0%) and BOO in 7 (6.5%). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the causes for OAB symptoms could be defined in half of the women visiting a urological clinic. Among them, SUI was the most common. Moreover, OAB symptoms in women might relate to BOO. Detailed history taking and sophisticated urodynamic studies are required for a substantial group of female patients with OAB symptoms to make the correct diagnosis and provide optimal therapy.     

Effect of Imidafenacin before Sleeping on Nocturia

Objectives: Clinical efficacy, influence on quality of life (QOL), and safety of imidafenacin before sleeping were assessed in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who suffered from nocturia. Methods: A total of 60 OAB patients with a mean age of 74 years (45 men and 15 women) who mainly complained of nocturia were enrolled. Imidafenacin (0.1 mg) was administered once daily before sleeping for four weeks. Then the patients were divided into two groups, “a stable‐dose group” with sufficient efficacy who remained on 0.1 mg of imidafenacin daily, and “a dose‐escalation group” with insufficient efficacy in whom the daily dose of imidafenacin was increased to 0.2 mg before sleeping. Lower urinary tract symptoms and postvoid residual volume (PVR) were examined before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of imidafenacin therapy. Results: In the stable‐dose group, nighttime frequency decreased significantly from 3.4 ± 1.1 to 2.3 ± 1.1 and 2.6 ± 2.0 times after four and eight weeks, respectively. In the dose‐escalation group, nighttime frequency did not change significantly (from 3.8 ± 1.5 to 3.6 ± 1.8 times) at four weeks, but decreased significantly to 2.8 ± 1.4 times at eight weeks. Daytime frequency, OAB symptom score, and IPSS‐QOL index score were significantly improved in both groups at four and/or eight weeks. There was no increase of PVR and no serious adverse events. Conclusion: Administration of imidafenacin at 0.1–0.2 mg once daily before sleeping was safe and effective for the treatment of OAB with the main symptom of nocturia.     

Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Considerations for Non‐Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Children

Non‐neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in children is very common in clinical practice and is important as an underlying cause of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in affected children. LUTD in children is caused by multiple factors and might be related with a delay in functional maturation of the lower urinary tract. Behavioral and psychological problems often co‐exist in children with LUTD and bowel dysfunction. Recent findings in functional brain imaging suggest that bladder bowel dysfunction and behavioral and psychiatric disorders in children might share common pathophysiological factors in the brain. Children with suspected LUTD should be evaluated properly by detailed history taking, validated questionnaire on voiding and defecation, voiding and bowel diary, urinalysis, screening ultrasound, uroflowmetry and post‐void residual measurement. Invasive urodynamic study such as videourodynamics should be reserved for children in whom standard treatment fails. Initial treatment of non‐neurogenic LUTD is standard urotherapy comprising education of the child and family, regular optimal voiding regimens and bowel programs. Pelvic floor muscle awareness, biofeedback and neuromodulation can be used as a supplementary purpose. Antimuscarinics and α‐blockers are safely used for overactive bladder and dysfunctional voiding, respectively. For refractory cases, botulinum toxin A injection is a viable treatment option. Prudent use of urotherapy and pharmacotherapy for non‐neurogenic LUTD should have a better chance to cure various problems and improve self‐esteem and quality of life in affected children.     

Randomized,Single‐Blind,Parallel Study of the Effectiveness and Safety of Solifenacin versus Propiverine in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of solifenacin versus propiverine in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), in a single‐blind, randomized parallel study. Methods: Sixty‐six patients with OAB (14 men and 52 women) were randomly assigned to groups: solifenacin (5 mg/day) or propiverine (20 mg/day) and treated for 8 weeks. The primary outcome variable was mean change from baseline to end of treatment in urgency of the OAB symptom score (OABSS). Secondary outcomes were bladder diary variables: change over 24 h in the mean number of voids (daytime and nighttime), episodes of micturition urgency and incontinence, and mean volume voided. Patients also completed total OABSS and the King's Health questionnaires. Results: Group backgrounds were comparable except for the male to female proportion; 11:22 for solifenacin (n = 33) versus 3:30 for propiverine (n = 33). Adverse events were 6 of 29 (21%) for solifenacin versus 14 of 26 (54%) for propiverine (P = 0.017). Three patients were withdrawn for voiding difficulty (one in solifenacin and two in propiverine) and one patient for dry mouth (propiverine group). Change in OABSS urgency score was ?2.3 ± 1.4 for solifenacin (n = 28) versus ?1.3 ± 1.7 for propiverine (n = 23), (P = 0.0169). Total OABSS and other individual scores, and voiding diary parameters for both drugs showed improvements; however, between‐group difference was not established. Conclusion: Although both solifenacin 5 mg and propiverine 20 mg were effective in the treatment of OAB, solifenacin appeared to be more effective and tolerable.     

Effect of long‐term late‐evening snack on health‐related quality of life in cirrhotic patients

Aim: In patients with liver cirrhosis, abnormal energy metabolism induces low health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) scores. However, late‐evening snack (LES) prevents morning starvation in cirrhotic patients. Our aim is to assess the effect of long‐term LES on HRQOL in cirrhotic patients, using the 36‐item Short Form (SF‐36) health survey. Methods: Thirty‐nine cirrhotic patients classified as Child–Pugh grade A were recruited. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: 24 were assigned to the non‐LES group and 15 to the LES group. SF‐36 scores, anthropometric data and serum biochemical parameters were examined in the non‐LES and LES groups at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results: Neither anthropometric data nor laboratory data showed significant differences between the non‐LES and the LES groups at 0, 6 and 12 months. The role–emotional (RE) HRQOL scores at 6 months and mental health (MH) scores at 6 and 12 months were significantly reduced from the baseline level in the non‐LES group. In contrast, these scores remained unchanged in the LES group. General health perception (GH) scores at 12 months, RE at 6 months and MH at 6 and 12 months in the LES group were significantly higher than those of the non‐LES group. Conclusion: Long‐term LES administration may be helpful in maintaining higher HRQOL in patients with cirrhosis.     

Lower urinary tract symptoms are elevated with depression in Japanese women

Objectives

Depression might worsen lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), but the correlation is still disputed. This study examined the influence of depression on LUTS in Japanese women.

Methods

This study used a web-based questionnaire to evaluate the mental status of depression and LUTS. The mental status of depression was evaluated using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Japanese version (QIDS-J), and LUTS was assessed based on the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and responses to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form.

Results

A total of 4151 of 5400 (76.9%) women responded to the questionnaire. The mean age was 48.3 ± 13.8 years. The OABSS gradually increased with the QIDS-J score. The incidence of overactive bladder (OAB) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) also increased along with the QIDS-J score. In the younger age group (20–39 years old), the risks of OAB and UUI were higher than in the elderly group (7.42 for OAB and 7.44 for UUI).

Conclusions

This study revealed that worsening of LUTS was correlated with depression.     

Clinical Impact of Solifenacin on Generic and Symptom‐Specific Quality of Life for Females with Overactive Bladder: Using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and Rand Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Health Survey

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of antimuscarinic treatment on disease‐specific and generic quality of life (QoL) in females with clinically diagnosed overactive bladder (OAB) by prospectively analyzing improvements in the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and the Rand Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Methods: We prospectively recruited newly diagnosed female patients with OAB. Pretreatment disease‐specific symptoms were documented, and generic QoL questionnaires were administered. All subjects received solifenacin 5 mg/day for >8 weeks. Symptoms and general health‐related QoL (HRQoL) were assessed using the OABSS and SF‐36, respectively. Other objective variables, such as maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual urine volume, were also evaluated. Results: Seventy‐eight subjects met all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria. After 8 weeks, the mean OABSS decreased by approximately 50% compared with baseline (from 9.1 ± 2.8 to 4.5 ± 3.6). All individual scores in OABSS improved after administration of solifenacin. Before treatment, the scores of the study subjects in all SF‐36 domains were significantly worse than the age‐ and gender‐adjusted Japanese national norms (P < 0.01), except the vitality (VT) scale. Intra‐group comparisons between age groups showed worse mental health (MH) scores in all age groups. In the OAB group, three mean SF‐36 scales (physical function [PF], VT, and MH) significantly improved after treatment. Conclusion: Treatment of OAB with solifenacin is associated with significant improvement in generic HRQoL and disease‐specific symptoms at 8 weeks after drug administration. Particularly for generic HRQoL as measured by the SF‐36, solifenacin treatment effectively improves three SF‐36 scores: PF, VT, and MH.     

Management of overactive bladder

Many people are affected by urinary urgency, which can be highly bothersome. Urgency is the cornerstone symptom of overactive bladder (OAB), commonly occurring in conjunction with urinary frequency and nocturia. Once other medical causes of similar symptoms have been excluded, first-line OAB management comprises fluid intake advice and bladder training, supplemented by antimuscarinic drugs if necessary. Urodynamic confirmation of the diagnosis is required for OAB patients whose symptoms are refractory to first-line interventions. If patients are severely bothered by OAB despite optimization of medical treatment, they may proceed to invasive treatments, including neuromodulation, enterocystoplasty, detrusor myectomy, or urinary diversion. Our burgeoning understanding of the complex cellular, neural and integrative physiology of the bladder offers new insights into the causative mechanisms of OAB, and reasons why patients sometimes fail to respond to treatment. Study of sensory information pathways in the lower urinary tract has led to identification of the urothelium, afferent nerves and interstitial cells as key cellular elements in OAB. In-depth knowledge of the hierarchy of central nervous system control is lacking, but functional imaging is beginning to elucidate the challenges that lie ahead. New treatments under investigation include botulinum neurotoxin-A injection, oral β(3)-adrenergic agonists, and novel modalities for nerve stimulation. The subjective nature of urinary urgency, the lack of animal models and the multifactorial pathophysiology of OAB present significant challenges to effective clinical management.     

Efficacy and Safety of Propiverine and Solifenacin for the Treatment of Female Patients with Overactive Bladder: A Crossover Study

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of propiverine and solifenacin in female patients with overactive bladder (OAB). Methods: A prospective nonrandomized crossover study of propiverine 20 mg and solifenacin 5 mg was conducted. Female OAB patients were assigned alternately to treatment with propiverine for 8 weeks then solifenacin for 8 weeks (Group P‐S) or solifenacin for 8 weeks then propiverine for 8 weeks (Group S‐P). At baseline, 8th week and 16th week, symptoms were assessed using overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Results: A total of 121 patients were enrolled. Overall, 38 patients (31.4%) discontinued or dropped out and 83 patients were available for analysis (39 in Group P‐S and 44 in Group S‐P). In both groups, the total score and each score of OABSS were significantly improved after 8 weeks compared with baseline. In only Group P‐S (changing over from propiverine to solifenacin), urgency score in the 16th week was further improved significantly compared with the 8th week. The most bothersome symptom at baseline was urgency incontinence (50.6%), followed by urgency (37.3%). Even after symptom improvement, more than half of the patients were bothered by urgency or urgency incontinence. The incidence of adverse events of moderate and severe grade was higher during propiverine treatment than solifenacin (11.1% vs 2.9%, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Propiverine 20 mg and solifenacin 5 mg were effective for treating female OAB patients. Urgency was further improved after switching from propiverine to solifenacin, but not after switching from solifenacin to propiverine. Solifenacin was better tolerated than propiverine.     

Current Use of Botulinum A Toxin in Overactive Bladder Management

Overactive bladder (OAB), which is refractory to oral medications, is a challenging condition. Patients with refractory idiopathic OAB often have severe symptoms and impaired quality of life. Those with neurogenic bladder carry the potential for high voiding pressures and damage to their upper and lower urinary tract. Botulinum A toxin, injected under cystoscopic guidance, offers a promising, reversible, acceptably invasive treatment option. A growing body of research has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing OAB symptoms, improving both urodynamic parameters and quality-of-life measures. However, the potential for inadvertent urinary retention (impacting primarily the idiopathic group) and need for repeat cystoscopic administration limit its acceptability. Although important questions surrounding use remain, botulinum A toxin injections can provide a well-tolerated, minimally invasive alternative treatment for the management of refractory OAB. This review focuses on the published literature from the past year.     

Non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes with non‐obstructive coronary artery stenosis: Effects of incretin treatment

There are insufficient data on the prognosis and management of people with type 2 diabetes who experience a non‐obstructive coronary artery stenosis (NOCS)–non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) event. We evaluated the 12‐month prognosis of patients with diabetes and NOCS (20%‐49% luminal stenosis) who experience a first NSTEMI as compared with patients without diabetes. In addition, we investigated the 12‐month prognosis in patients with diabetes and NSTEMI‐NOCS previously treated with incretin‐based therapy compared with a matched cohort of patients with NSTEMI‐NOCS never treated with such therapy. We categorized the patients with diabetes as current incretin users (6 months’ treatment with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists or dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors) and non‐users of incretins. The endpoint was all‐cause mortality, cardiac death, recurrent acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and heart failure. The unadjusted Kaplan–Meier analysis, and a risk‐adjusted hazard analysis showed that, all‐cause mortality, cardiac death, readmission for ACS and heart failure rates during the 12‐month follow‐up were higher in patients with diabetes and NOCS‐NSTEMI than in those with NOCS‐NSTEMI without diabetes. Among the patients with diabetes, the current incretin users had a significantly lower rate of all‐cause mortality, cardiac death and readmission for ACS at 12 months. In patients with type 2 diabetes and NOCS‐NSTEMI, we observed a higher incidence of 1‐year mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, as compared with patients without diabetes with NOCS‐NSTEMI. In people with diabetes, non‐users of incretins had a worse prognosis than current incretin users.