Journal Article

B3 agonists or anticholinergics in the treatment of the lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis?—A randomized study

Glykas, I, Gkialas, I, Papatsoris, A, Mitsogiannis, I, Skolarikos, A, Ntoumas, K, Fragkoulis Ch, Mitsikostas, D D, Papadopoulos, G, Dellis, A

2021

Overview

Introduction and objectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS patients usually present with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of treating MS patients with LUTD with either a b3 agonist (mirabegron) or anticholinergics. The study’s primary outcome is the LUTD symptom improvement. Material and MethodsThis is a multi-center, single-blinded, comparative study including 91 MS patients with LUTD. At baseline, patients underwent thorough clinical examination, urine cultivation and abdominal ultrasound and completed urination diaries and specific, validated questionnaires (NBSS, MusiQoL). At second visit, patients were administered either mirabegron or anticholinergics. Treatment was always carried out alongside with MS treatment. Reevaluation was performed 3 months after first visit. Patients underwent the same clinical and imaging tests that were carried out at first visit.ResultsWe compared several clinical and imaging parameters between the two groups at first visit and month 3 after treatment. Νo statistical difference was noted between the mirabegron group and the anticholinergic group in terms of LUTD improvement. In both groups, improvement from baseline regarding LUTD was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired and unpaired t test method. No patient discontinued either medication due to side effects.ConclusionsMS patients receiving either mirabegron or anticholinergic therapy for LUTD showed improvement. Nevertheless, no statistical difference was noted between the two cohorts at 3 months in terms of drug efficacy in all the statistically significant parameters.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Agonists / Anticholinergics / Autoimmune diseases / Central nervous system / Demyelinating diseases / Demyelination / Drug efficacy / Multiple sclerosis / Patients / Statistical analysis / Statistics / Urinary tract / Urination / Urogenital system