Frequency of urinary tract infection in patients diagnosed with idiopathic overactive bladder using anticholinergic drugs

Introduction: Idiopathic overactive bladder is a common pathology with a peak incidence at 5-7 years of age in children with voiding dysfunction. Uninhibited detrusor muscle contractions are observed in overactive bladder (OAB). Anticholinergic agents provide relaxation by blocking acetylcholine receptors in the detrusor muscles of the bladder. Aim: To determine the frequency of urinary tract infections that may occur due to stasis that may occur with the prevention of involuntary detrusor muscle contraction on muscarinic receptors due to the use of anticholinergic drugs. Materials and Methods: The research is a retrospective case-control type epidemiological study. The research was carried out at Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital in the Yunus Emre district of Manisa. The data were collected by retrospectively scanning the files of the patients followed in the pediatric nephrology outpatient clinic between 2010 and 2020, with the permission of the chief physician and the patients. Results: While the average frequency of urinary tract infections in girls before pharmacotherapy was 1.44, the frequency of urinary tract infections in girls after pharmacotherapy was 0.64. While the average frequency of urinary tract infections in men before pharmacotherapy was 0.50, the frequency of urinary tract infections in men after pharmacotherapy was 0 (zero). No urinary tract infection was observed in our male patients after pharmacotherapy. When the frequency of urinary tract infection in our patients before and after using anticholinergic drugs was examined, a significant decrease was observed in both female and male patients after anticholinergic drug use. Conclusion and Recommendations: In the treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder, pharmacological treatment should be started in cases who do not benefit from at least one month of urotherapy. Thanks to the control of urinary tract infection and residual urine during pharmacological treatment of overactive bladder cases in our series, dysfunctional voiding that frequently accompanies overactive bladder was xiii successfully differentiated. During the pharmacological treatment of overactive bladder, full urinalysis and monitoring for residual urine is recommended. Keywords: Overactive bladder, anticholinergic drug, urinary tract infection