QLD: Botox trial brings relief to incontinence sufferers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2004
QLD: Botox trial brings relief to incontinence sufferers

By Lloyd Jones

CAIRNS, Qld, April 7 AAP - Wheelchair-bound women with poor bladder control are achieving
remarkable results in a Queensland medical trial using the popular wrinkle-smoothing agent
Botox.

The three-year pilot trial at James Cook University's School of Medicine in Townsville
used three female multiple sclerosis sufferers with overactive bladder condition (OAB).

Ajay Rane, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said Botox was injected directly
into the women's bladders, leading to a huge improvement in lifestyle.

"The first cases we injected they became totally continent. They have tremendous improvement
in their quality of life and only go to the toilet five or six times a day.

"My patients are hard to track down these days because they are no longer housebound.

They are out enjoying life once again."

Prof Rane said about 25 per cent of women would suffer from urinary incontinence, about
a third of those would have OAB and 10 per cent of those would not respond to medication.

An overactive bladder usually meant women had to go to the toilet 10 to 20 times a
day and six or seven times a night and they often did not make it in time because of incontinence.

Prof Rane said being wheelchair-bound with multiple sclerosis compounded the problem
of OAB because patients had restricted mobility.

"They have an overactive bladder so they are constantly missing the boat because they
can't make it on time."

The downside to the Botox treatment was it only lasted eight to 12 weeks and cost nearly
$1,700 a time, a cost borne by the women in the trial, Prof Rane said.

The use of Botox in the cosmetic industry probably explained its expense, he said.

"We are trying to say that we can cure quite serious debilitating medical conditions
using this medication but its access is restricted because of its prohibitive cost."

A trial of 75 patients lasting about 12 months was planned but funding still had to be found.

"We need a bigger trial to justifiably make an application of some sort to reduce the
cost of it," Prof Rane said.

Botox is not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

AAP ldj/cmc/br

KEYWORD: BOTOX (WITH PIC)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.