Adherence, persistence and switch rates for anticholinergic drugs used for overactive bladder in women: data from the Norwegian Prescription Database. (11th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mauseth, Siri A.; Skurtveit, Svetlana; Spigset, Olav
• Is Part Of: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Volume 92:Number 10(2013)
• Page Start: 1208
• Page End: 1215
• Publication Date: 2013-07-11
• Subjects: Adherence -- anticholinergic drugs -- epidemiology -- overactive bladder -- persistence; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12196
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6349

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the pattern of use of anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder among women in Norway with regard to persistence, adherence and switch rates. Design: Observational study. Setting and sample: Data from the Norwegian Prescription Database on prescriptions for tolterodine, solifenacin, darifenacin and fesoterodine filled in Norwegian pharmacies from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2010. Methods and main outcome measures: Data from the database were analysed at an individual level, and drug persistence, discontinuation rates and switch rates during a follow‐up period of 365 days after the first prescription were calculated. Results: Overall 1‐year persistence for new users was 38.0%. Within the same period, a total of 10.3% switched from the index drug to another drug in the same group, whereas 51.7% discontinued without switching. Users of solifenacin and tolterodine were somewhat more persistent than users of darifenacin and fesoterodine. Persistence was lowest (20.9%) in the age group 18–39 years, increased with age and was highest in the age groups 70–79 years and 80 years and above (43.5 and 43.3%, respectively). In total, 31.9% filled only one prescription of the drug and, of these, only one of four women switched to another drug. The proportion who were adherent during treatment was 60.4%. Conclusions: The discontinuation rate for anticholinergic drugs for overactive bladder in women is high. The reasons why patients stop using them remain obscure but could be related both to a limited clinical effect and an unacceptable adverse effect burden.