Fall Prevention in Older Adults With OAB

Older adults with overactive bladder (OAB) have reduced physical activity and are at increased risk for falls. Though recent studies suggest that treatment of OAB may improve physical activity, there is a lack of easily administered instruments for measuring physical activity in older adults. Furthermore, physical activity outcomes in older adults with OAB are affected by treatment preference and potential neurocognitive dysfunction caused by anti-cholinergic medication. The aims of the present proposal are 1) to validate an instrument to measure physical activity 2) to validate an instrument to measure preference for medication and 3) to determine the effect of preference for anti-cholinergic medication on adherence, physical activity, and falls risk. Plan: a prospective cohort study of adults aged 65 or older with OAB undergoing treatment with anti-cholinergic medication. The primary outcome will be physical activity measured using a self-reported instrument and accelerometer at baseline and 8 weeks after treatment. Secondary outcomes will be fall risk defined by changes in neurocognitive testing, urinary symptoms, and medication adherence at 8 weeks after treatment. The findings of this study could provide a paradigm shift in the management of older adults with OAB and at increased risk for falls.

Inclusion criteria

adults aged 65 or older, urinary urgency of quite a bit severity or more on the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OABq-SF), eligible for pharmacologic therapy for overactive bladder

Exclusion criteria

predominant stress incontinence (on UDI-6), current/recent use (6 m) or contraindication to anti-cholinergic medication, severe voiding difficulties, men on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, severe neurologic disease, recent anti-incontinence or prolapse surgery, other urinary tract conditions such as calculus or recurrent UTI.