THE EFFECTS OF AN ESTRADIOL TRANSDERMAL THERAPEUTIC SYSTEM, ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH NAPROXEN, ON URGE INCONTINENCE IN ELDERLY WOMEN - A PILOT-STUDY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a transdermal estradiol delivery system, alone and in combination with naproxen, in elderly women with confirmed urge incontinence. An open-label, single-blind pilot study was conducted in which an estradiol transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) alone, or combined with naproxen 250-mg tablets twice daily, or placebo TTS were given according to a randomized, crossover design for a period of 8 weeks. Cystometric examination was performed after each medication session. A washout period of 2 weeks followed each medication session, Bladder-diary charts were completed by each patient and evaluated as a subjective measure of that patient's symptoms especially with regard to frequency of urination, nocturia, and episodes of incontinence. Sixteen participants completed the study. Estradiol TTS as well as estradiol TTS plus naproxen increased bladder capacity significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with placebo. The volume at which the first urge to void was perceived was increased significantly (P = 0.01) by estradiol TTS plus naproxen compared with placebo. These results suggest that estrogen alleviates urge incontinence.