Reduced-dose Botox for Urgency Incontinence Among Elder Females

Launched by DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER · Aug 19, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a treatment option for women aged 70 and older who experience a condition called urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), which is when they feel a sudden, strong urge to urinate and might leak urine before they can get to the bathroom. The study is comparing a lower dose of Botox (an injection often used for various medical conditions) to the standard dose to see which is more effective in helping with these symptoms.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be women aged 70 or older who have UUI and experience at least two episodes of urgency or leakage each day. They should have tried other treatments without success and be willing to stop certain medications for the study duration. Participants can expect to receive Botox injections in their bladder and will be closely monitored throughout the trial. It's important to know that this study aims to improve treatment options for older women dealing with this challenging condition, and participants will receive support and care from the study team.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Adult female at least 70 years old at date of enrollment
• • 2. Urgency urinary incontinence (urge incontinence \> stress incontinence per screening criteria)
• • 3. On average 2 or more urgency or insensible incontinence episodes per day per patient report
• • 4. Refractory urinary urgency incontinence, defined as
• • 1. Persistent symptoms despite trial of one or more conservative treatments (e.g. behavioral therapy, physical therapy, home Kegel exercises); participants not required to have attempted first line therapies if deemed not feasible or appropriate by provider with input of participant/caregiver.
• • 2. Persistent symptoms despite the use of anticholinergic and/or beta-3 agonist medication; or inability to tolerate medication due to side effects, or has a contraindication to taking medication, or is unable to afford the cost of the medication.
• • 5. Currently not on an anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication or is willing to stop medication for 3 weeks prior to completing baseline bladder tally, with plan to remain off medication through duration of the study. Currently not actively using sacral neuromodulation therapy (either has not tried, or unit has been off for 4 weeks prior to baseline bladder tally and will remain turned off for the duration of the study). It is permissible for participants to continue self-led conservative therapies during participation in the study, including Kegel exercises, avoidance of bladder irritants, and urge suppression.
• • 6. Willing and able to complete all study-related items, with assistance of caregiver(s) if needed.
• • 7. Demonstrates awareness of possible need for catheterization in event of post-injection urinary retention \& acknowledges risks of catheterization. Participant does not need to demonstrate ability to perform self-catheterization.
• • 8. Grossly neurologically normal on exam and no gross systemic neurologic conditions believed to affect urinary function. Patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or diabetes may be eligible provided they have a grossly normal neurologic exam and otherwise fulfill the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Lack of capacity to provide consent. Will be assessed if needed per judgment of the site PI and study staff, with use of optional questionnaire.
• • 2. Baseline persistently elevated post-void residual \[PVR\] (\>150mL on 2 occasions in the 6 weeks prior to enrollment). If the PVR was obtained via bladder scanner with measurements differing by more than 100mL, or if there is concern about the accuracy of the scanner, it will be confirmed via catheterization which will be considered the gold standard.
• • 3. Need for BTX injection to take place in the Operating Room or under sedation. (Of note, for repeat injection under the protocol, patients may have OR injection if indicated due to pain with initial BTX injection.)
• • 4. Previous treatment with intravesical BTX in the last 12 months or use of sacral neuromodulation therapy within the past 4 weeks (unit may remain implanted, but should remain off for duration of the study).
• • 5. Untreated symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Eligible once UTI treatment complete and symptoms resolved.
• • 6. Known bladder abnormality, including current or prior bladder malignancy, carcinoma in situ or untreatable cystitis (e.g. eosinophilic cystitis); prior major bladder surgery that would alter the detrusor muscle, such as augmentation cystoplasty; or hematuria that has not been evaluated.
• • 7. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity or neurologic disease that may impact bladder function, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord injury. Conditions such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes are acceptable provided normal bladder emptying and grossly normal neurologic function.
• • 8. Concurrent BTX use for other indication, participants cannot exceed 300 units BTX in a 3 month period. Participants who may have conflict between study BTX administration and administration for other purposes may be excluded from participation if there is concern that study drug administration will be compromised. Concurrent use of BTX for another indication that would not exceed 300 units in a 3 month period, or that can have time of administration of the other BTX adjusted to avoid excessive dose, is acceptable; for instance, for migraines.
• • 9. Greater than stage 2 pelvic floor prolapse, uncorrected or persistent despite pessary use (leading edge of prolapse not greater than 1cm beyond the hymen). Ongoing pessary use is permissible. Patients may have had a prior repair for pelvic organ prolapse. (see chart review of recent exam or perform brief exam while collecting post-void residual)
• • 10. Planned prolapse or stress incontinence surgery; would defer enrollment to \>3 months post-operative.
• • 11. Allergy or intolerance to lidocaine or BTX.
• • 12. Participation in another research study that could conflict with the RELIEF study, in estimation of the site PI.