[Neurogenic overactive bladder: focus on cognitive function]

Background: An overactive bladder and cognitive impairment are two medical and social problems, which have an outmost importance, affecting the quality of life. Both disorders are common in the practice of a urologist, neurologist, internist, and other physicians. Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis are the most common neurological diseases, which often manifest by pelvic dysfunction and cognitive dysfunction. The clinician needs to understand the pathogenesis of the underlying disease and the pharmacologic properties of drugs, which can be used both in neurology and urology, as well as in other related specialties.

Aim: To evaluate cognitive functions in patients with neurogenic overactive bladder treated with trospium chloride.

Materials and methods: A total of 45 patients with neurological disease (28 with Parkinsons disease [group 1] and 17 with multiple sclerosis [group 2]) were included in the study. All patients had symptoms of an overactive bladder. Trospium chloride was administered in an individually adjusted dose for 12 weeks. Cognitive functions were assessed using the international Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and after the therapy. A change of total scores over time was assessed using the paired Wilcoxon test. The level of significance of <0.05 was used (confidence level of 95%).

Results: A significant decrease in all studied parameters of an overactive bladder in both groups was seen. The baseline evaluation of the total score on the MoCA scale prior to the start of taking trospium chloride revealed the presence of moderate cognitive impairment (21.3+/-2.9 points) in patients of the group 1. After 12 weeks of therapy, no significant change in cognitive functions was observed (21.7+/-3.1 points; p>0.05). In group 2, moderate cognitive impairment (MoCA 22.5+/-3.7 points) was found at baseline. After taking trospium chloride, no significant changes were noted (MoCA 22.9+/-4.1 points) (p>0.05). No central nervous system side effects were reported in any group.

Conclusion: Trospium chloride is an effective drug, which does not affect cognitive functions in patients with neurogenic overactive bladder. This drug is safe to use in both Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis, considering the low risk of cognitive impairment in polypharmacy.