Retrospective analysis in 46 women with vulvovaginal atrophy treated with ospemifene for 12 weeks: improvement in overactive bladder symptoms

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of ospemifene in the improvement of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in postmenopausal women affected by vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).Methods: Forty-six postmenopausal patients affected by VVA with OAB syndrome were enrolled for the study. All patients received Ospemifene 60mg for 12weeks. Clinical examination, 3-day voiding diary, urodynamic testing, ultrasound measurement of endometrial and bladder wall thickness (BWT) and the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) were performed at baseline and 12weeks. Patients completed the OAB-Q SF and UDI-6.Results: After 12-weeks, the number of patients with detrusor overactivity decreased from 39% to 13% (p=0.04). The reduction in the mean number in 24h of voids (9.572.12 vs. 6.631.22, p<0.0001), urgent micturition episodes/24h (5.631.46 vs. 1.441.31, p<0.0001), nocturia episodes (3.170.85 vs. 1.11 +/- 1.18, p<0.0001), urinary incontinence episodes/24h (0.85 +/- 0.96 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.64, p=0.003) was observed. The UDI-6, OAB-Q symptoms, OAB-Q (HRQL) scores were 8.95 +/- 0.91 vs. 5.56 +/- 1.40, 62.60 +/- 14.70 vs. 20.08 +/- 10.83 and 18.71 +/- 7.41 vs. 79.45 +/- 14.47 (p<0.001) before and after 12weeks.Conclusion: Ospemifene is an effective potential therapy for postmenopausal women with VVA improving OAB symptoms and quality of life.