Wellbeing of Women

2008 Grants

Randomised placebo controlled trial of botulinum toxin A for detrusor overactivity in women. Dr Douglas Tincello, Mr Mark Slack, Mr Christopher Mayne, Mr Philip Toozs Hobson and Professor Keith Abrams, University of Leicester, Addenbrookes Hospital, Leicester General Hospital and Birmingham Women's Hospital £103,993 over 36 months

LAY TITLE: BOTOX® therapy for overactive bladder disease

Urinary incontinence affects almost 50% of women aged over 40 years. Caused by abnormal contractions of the bladder muscles, overactive bladder disease (OAB) is a common cause of incontinence and remains difficult to treat.

OAB is usually managed with drugs that reduce the contractions; however, many women find these treatments ineffective and stop taking them after a short time. Botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) has been used for many years to treat diseases affecting muscle control, and has been shown to be effective in spinal injury patients with OAB.

In this study, women with OAB receiving BOTOX® injections will be compared with OAB patients receiving no active treatment to investigate the effects of BOTOX® on OAB and quality of life. If BOTOX® is shown to be effective in this study, it could represent a valuable new treatment for this debilitating condition.

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