Women’s perspective of botulinum toxin treatment for overactive bladder symptoms

Introduction and hypothesis This study aimed to evaluate the women’s’ views and expectations about outcomes and complications of botulinum toxin treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Methods Consecutive women with OAB symptoms and detrusor overactivity were requested to fill out a multiple choice questionnaire to assess whether they would consider botulinum and what outcomes as well as complications they would find acceptable to undergo this treatment. Results Two hundred sixty-one women, mean age of 58 (range, 38–78) years, were studied. Two hundred twenty-four were treatment-naive women (group A), while 37 were no responders to anticholinergics (group B). Only 49.6% of women in group A and 54% in group B would accept botulinum toxin. No significant differences were found between treatment-naive women and non-responders to anticholinergics ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Acceptance of botulinum toxin treatment involves a complex interaction of efficacy and possible complications. The balance of these factors changes the acceptability of the treatment.