Long-term prospective study of the persistence of solifenacin succinate in previously untreated Japanese female patients with overactive bladder.

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the persistence of solifenacin treatment in previously untreated Japanese female patients with overactive bladder.

Methods: A total of 73 previously untreated Japanese female patients diagnosed with overactive bladder were given 5 mg of solifenacin once daily and prospectively followed for 3 years with periodic evaluations. The drug persistence rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. If solifenacin had to be terminated or a patient did not come to the hospital to receive a prescription, the reason was determined.

Results: After solifenacin treatment, the overactive bladder symptom score and average voided volume were significantly improved and maintained for 3 years. The 6-month, 1-year, 2-year and 3-year persistence rates were 50.7%, 41.1%, 32.9% and 23.3%, respectively. The major reasons for solifenacin therapy discontinuation were symptom resolution (27.4%) and adverse events (20.5%). Patients with nocturia three times or more at baseline had lower persistence than those with nocturia more than three times. Patients without detrusor overactivity at baseline had lower drug persistence than those with detrusor overactivity.

Conclusions: Approximately one-quarter of previously untreated Japanese overactive bladder female patients continue solifenacin treatment for 3 years. Many patients discontinue solifenacin for various reasons, including symptom resolution and adverse events.