Urodynamic effects of propiverine in children and adolescents with neurogenic bladder: results of a prospective long-term study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy and tolerability of propiverine for long-term treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 children and adolescents with NDO (10 female, 7 male; average age at last consultation 13.0 years) were evaluated during long-term treatment with propiverine (0.8 mg/kg body weight/day). Outcome measurements included urodynamic parameters, continence, hydronephrosis and tolerability of propiverine.

RESULTS: Average follow-up was 3.6 years (range 2.0-5.9). The average maximum detrusor pressure was 33.2 ± 4.8 cmH(2)O and bladder compliance was 20.0 ± 5.4 ml/cmH(2)O at the last follow-up visit. Maximum cystometric bladder capacity (MCBC) within the normal range was attained in 11 patients; it was still reduced (average of 61% of expected MCBC) in the remaining 6. Incontinence occurred on average once per day. Hydronephrosis was classified for each renal unit separately: grade 0 was measured in 26 and 22 cases, grade 1 or 2 in 6 and 8 cases, grade 3 or 4 in 2 and 4 cases pre and post treatment, respectively. In 6/17 patients adjuvant intravesical oxybutynin was applied, in 4 out of these 6 patients more invasive procedures, such as untethering, augmentation cystoplasty or botulinum toxin injections, were necessitated. Propiverine monotherapy was well tolerated in 11/17 patients. No serious adverse events were encountered during the study period.

CONCLUSION: Long-term efficacy and tolerability of propiverine for NDO in children and adolescents is promising: clinically relevant improvements in key urodynamic outcomes were paralleled by improvements in incontinence score.