( Treatment Benefits Were Maintained for ...)First-of-Its-Kind Study Shows Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A),Significantly Improves Idiopathic Detrusor Overactivity (IDO) in,Patients With Symptoms of Overactive Bladder,Health

LONDON, May 15, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from Guy's Hospital and King's College London School of Medicine have announced the results from the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A, BOTOX(R)) as a treatment for idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). The trial results which are published in the June 2007 issue of The Journal of Urology show that BTX-A is safe and effective for this use and that the beneficial effects -- including improved quality of life -- persist for at least 24 weeks.

"The findings of this study are important because there is a need for new treatments for OAB patients who have unsatisfactory responses to therapies which are currently available and who do not want to consider invasive surgery," said Mr. Arun Sahai, who was a principal investigator of the study during his time as a research fellow at Guy's Hospital, London. "This study demonstrated that botulinum toxin type A may be a promising treatment option for patients with OAB symptoms."

OAB is characterized by feelings of urgency to urinate, with or without incontinence, and is usually accompanied by increased urination frequency and nocturia (excessive urination at night). A large proportion of OAB patients have what is referred to as idiopathic detrusor overactivity or IDO -- excessive activity of the muscles that contract the bladder, due to an unknown cause -- and are treated with drugs called anticholinergics (e.g., tolterodine). However, many OAB patients discontinue medication due to insufficient relief of symptoms or intolerable side effects that can include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation and headache.

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