| Description: |
he cost of overactive bladder (OAB) is a significant finan-cial burden on patients, families, and the health care sys-tem. In 2000, the total economic cost of OAB in the United States was estimated at $18.2 billion, which is more than either osteoporosis or Parkinson’s disease. OAB costs at the com-munity level were approximately $13.8 billion, while costs at institutions were $4.4 billion.1 A study examining insurance claims showed that total annual claims among OAB patients was $5,018 versus $1,767 among non-OAB controls (1995 dollars).2 Drug Treatment for OAB Head-to-head studies comparing 2 immediate-release forms of antimuscarinic drug therapy, oxybutynin, and tolterodine, have shown that they have similar efficacy; however, tolterodine has an improved side-effect profile, most notably less dry mouth, and is associated with fewer treatment withdrawals as a result of |