Health-related quality of life of Japanese patients with overactive bladder treated with extended-release tolterodine or immediate-release oxybutynin: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Overactive bladder (OAB) has a significant impact on a patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study assessed the HRQoL of Japanese OAB patients following 12 weeks' treatment with tolterodine extended release (ER) or oxybutynin. A total of 293 patients with symptoms of OAB were randomized for treatment with tolterodine ER 4 mg once daily (n=114), oxybutynin 3 mg three times daily (n=122) or a placebo (n=57). Treatment efficacy and safety assessments were made over the 12-week period. HRQoL was assessed using the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Patients receiving tolterodine ER or oxybutynin showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement in the Incontinence Impact, Role Limitations and most other KHQ domains compared with the placebo. These changes in HRQoL corresponded with significant (P<0.05) improvements in micturition diary variables for patients receiving tolterodine ER and oxybutynin compared with placebo. Our findings demonstrate that Japanese OAB patients receiving tolterodine ER or oxybutynin experienced overall improvement in their quality of life.