Urologic Survey (Pediatric Urology)

Re: Prospective Pilot Study of Mirabegron in Pediatric Patients with Overactive Bladder

10.4274/jus.2016.03.038

  • Sinharib Çitgez

J Urol Surg 2016;3(4):152-152

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent disorder in the pediatric population. This event negatively affects and impairs children’s development. Antimuscarinics are the mainstay pharmacological management of OAB, but their side effects profile limits their use. Mirabegron, a new molecule with a distinct mechanism of action (b3-adrenoreceptor agonist), was recently approved as monotherapy for idiopathic OAB in adults but has not been studied in the pediatric population. Blais et al. have evaluated the efficacy and safety of mirabegron in the treatment of urinary incontinence in children with idiopathic OAB who were refractory to and/or intolerant of antimuscarinics. This prospective off-label study, using an adjusted-dose regimen of mirabegron (25-50 mg), included pediatric patients with refractory urinary incontinence due to OAB. Patients without symptom improvement or with partial response under intensive behavioral protocol and medical therapy (at least two different antimuscarinic agents) were included in the study. Their primary outcome was better reported efficacy than with the use of prior anticholinergic medication. Secondary end points were tolerability and safety. Families were questioned for continence, side effects, compliance, and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) questionnaire. A total of 58 patients (14 girls, 44 boys) were enrolled in a mirabegron open-label trial. The median age at initiation of mirabegron was 10.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 8.8-13.5]. The median duration of treatment was 11.5 months (IQR: 6.0-15.0). The median bladder capacity improved from 150 ml to 200 ml (p<0.001). Continence improved in 52 of 58, with 13 being completely dry. The median PPBC score improved from 4.0 to 2.0 (p<0.001). The authors also assessed the safety of mirabegron. All electrocardiogram and blood tests remained normal. No significant change in blood pressure (<5 mmHg) and heart rate (fewer than five beats per minute) was reported. Fifty patients (86%) did not report any side effects. A subgroup of 5 (9%) described mild side effects i.e. transient abdominal colic (2), constipation (2), and blurred vision (1). Three patients, however, (5%) discontinued the treatment because of side effects; one patient had significant nasopharyngitis, one patient had nausea, and one had a change in behavior (as if his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment was no longer effective). As a result, mirabegron, a novel first-in-class therapy, appears to be a safe alternative for children with idiopathic OAB and allows improvement of symptoms in patients refractory to antimuscarinics. Absence of a placebo group was a limitation of the study. However, patients had already failed two trials of medication, decreasing the likelihood of a placebo effect.