Treatment outcomes and resource use of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity receiving botulinum toxin A (BOTOX) therapy in Germany.

Purpose: To evaluate treatment outcomes and resource consumption of patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) before and after botulinum toxin A (Botox) therapy in Germany.

Methods: In a multi-center, cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study, data of patients with NDO 12 months before and after the first Botox therapy were analyzed.

Results: 214 patients (mean age 38 +/- 14.8 years, 145 male, 69 female) with NDO due to spinal cord injury (81%); myelomeningocele (14%), or Multiple Sclerosis (5%) from seven hospitals were included. Mean interval between treatments was 8 months. Following treatment, mean maximum detrusor pressure, maximum cystometric capacity and detrusor compliance improved significantly. Prior to Botox therapy, 68% reported urinary tract infections (UTI), 63% had incontinence episodes, and 58% used incontinence aids. These numbers decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment to 28, 33, and 28%, respectively. In patients using incontinence aids, mean costs per patient decreased from 2euro to 1euro per day, whereas the mean cost of drugs to treat UTIs per patient decreased from 163euro to 80euro per year, respectively.

Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating the clinical usefulness of Botox therapy in clinical practice. Successful treatment resulted in lower costs for NDO associated morbidity due to less need for incontinence aids and UTI medication.