Efficacy and complications of intradetrusor injection with botulinum toxin A in patients with refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of botulinum A toxin (Dysport, Ipsen Ltd, Slough, UK) 500 U in refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study of 25 patients with refractory IDO, the baseline evaluation included an assessment of symptoms, a 7-day voiding diary, 24-h pad test, record of symptoms on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-10), the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and urodynamics. Dysport 500 U was administered at 20 sites in the bladder, sparing the trigone. Patients were followed at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 9 months; the urodynamic assessment was repeated at 3 months.

RESULTS: Fifteen (63%) patients reported being continent from 1 week after treatment; at 3 months, six (32%) (P = 0.01) patients were still dry, remaining so at 6 months (P = 0.025). Weekly leakage episodes decreased from 5.5 to 1.8 (P = 0.044) at 6 weeks and this was sustained, at 2.7 episodes (P = 0.012), at 9 months. The mean VAS score (0-10) decreased from 8.3 to 5.0 (P = 0.001) at 1 week, to 5.0 at 6 weeks (P = 0.001) and 3 months (P = 0.03) and to 6.1 (P = 0.013) at 6 months. On the KHQ there was a significant improvement in the severity measures domain (P = 0.021) and incontinence impact domain (P = 0.015) up to 9 months. The volume at first desire to void increased from 177 to 251 mL (P = 0.04) at 3 months. At 6 weeks and 3 months, 35% of patients required catheterization, as did 22% at 6 months, but only one at 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Intradetrusor Dysport 500 U was associated with significant subjective and objective improvements in refractory IDO. The present patients initially had a significant increase in voiding dysfunction that resolved by 9 months.