Use of Combined Anticholinergic Medication and Sacral Neuromodulation in the Treatment of Refractory Overactive Bladder

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the number of patients implanted with sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for overactive bladder (OAB) who required supplemental or continued anticholinergic (ACH) therapy for improved response and to identify factors predictive of requiring supplemental ACH. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 148 patients who underwent SNM from 1999 to 2007. Patients included were those implanted for urgency, frequency, or urge incontinence. Eighty-eight patients were included in the analysis. A stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive for restarting ACH medication. Results: All patients underwent SNM implantation for frequency-urgency and urge incontinence. Of all patients, 16 (18%) required supplemental ACH therapy for improved symptom control. Overall, 26 patients (25%) either continued or were started on ACH therapy in addition to SNM for improved outcomes. Conclusions: A subset of patients had improved therapeutic response with combined SNM and ACH therapy. The only factor associated with supplemental ACH use was body mass index.