Healthcare and economic burden of anticholinergic use in adults with overactive bladder: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Aim: To determine the economic burden associated with anticholinergic medication use in adults with overactive bladder (OAB) in the USA. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles assessing healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with anticholinergic use in adults with OAB. Results: From the 34 articles identified, increased anticholinergic burden, switching anticholinergic treatments and potentially inappropriate anticholinergic use were associated with increased HCRU and/or costs. However, studies comparing patients with OAB receiving anticholinergics to individuals with untreated OAB or without OAB reported a mix of increases and decreases in HCRU and costs. Conclusion: Additional controlled studies assessing the economic impact of anticholinergics in OAB are needed and may enable optimization of economic and potentially patient outcomes.