Abstract
Objective: To compare the effects of long term posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation and trospium hydrochloride on urodynamic parameters, bladder diary and severity of urgency in patients with overactive bladder syndrome.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Subjects: Thirty-seven patients were divided into either posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation (Group 1) or trospium hydrochloride (Group 2).
Main outcome measures: All patients were assessed at the beginning of the treatment, at week 12 (end of treatment), 18 and 24 according to urodynamic parameters, voiding diary parameters and severity of urgency (visual analogue scale VAS).
Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in both groups according to some urodynamic parameters, voiding diary parameters, VAS urgency severity at the end of the treatment. During the 24-week follow-up period, deteriorations were observed in many parameters in both groups although improvements in the volume at first desire to void, frequency of urgency and VAS urgency severity in group 1 persisted. Significant differences were not detected between groups at the end of the treatment or during the post treatment follow-up controls.
Conclusion: No difference was detected in long term of posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation and trospium hydrochloride in the treatment of patients with overactive bladder syndrome. Discontinuation of both treatments caused deterioration in most of the symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome.
