Achieving clinically meaningful quality of life benefits in nocturia takes time: Results from a long-term, multicenter phase 3 study of desmopressin in Japanese patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and safety of desmopressin orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) in Japanese patients with nocturia. METHODS: A long-term, multicenter phase 3 study was conducted that enrolled Japanese male and female patients with nocturia (NCT03051009). Male patients received desmopressin 25- or 50-µg ODTs, and female patients received desmopressin 25-µg ODTs for up to 1 year. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included change from baseline in number of nocturnal voids, time to first awakening to void, and QoL assessments (nocturia-specific zQoL [N-QoL], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI], and Hsu bother score). RESULTS: Overall, 503 patients were enrolled. Reductions from baseline in mean number of nocturnal voids were observed in all treatment groups from week 1 (-0.62 to -1.00), with improvements continuing through week 52 (-1.39 to -1.71). Changes from baseline above or approximating a clinically meaningful improvement were seen by week 52 in the disease-specific N-QoL total score (improved by 11.5-22.6), ISI (improved by -3.9 to -7.1), and Hsu bother scores (improved by -1.5 to -2.0). Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 54.9% of desmopressin-treated patients. Most AEs were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS: Desmopressin ODTs (25 and 50 µg) demonstrated long-term efficacy, improved QoL, and were well tolerated in Japanese male and female patients with nocturia treated for up to 1 year. Clinically meaningful improvements in patients' QoL, assessed by N-QoL, sleep quality, and bother, occur later than objective symptom improvements, such as voids.

Psychometric evaluation of the Nocturia Sleep Quality Scale based on data from a prospective observational study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The Nocturia Sleep Quality Scale (NSQS), a novel patient-reported outcomes measure, was developed to assess the impact of sleep disturbance from nocturia. The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the NSQS, including its structure, reliability, and validity. METHODS: Data were collected in the context of a web-based, prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Participants with nocturia were randomized 1:1 to either a group that received sleep hygiene instructions, including instructions to limit liquids at nighttime and empty bladder prior to bedtime, or one that did not receive sleep instructions. All participants were asked to provide responses to the web-based questionnaires from day 1 to day 10. Psychometric analyses, aligned with current regulatory guidance, were conducted to evaluate the daily scores and 3-day average scores of NSQS items and potential composites. Item-level analyses were conducted first, followed by composite-level analyses. RESULTS: The NSQS items and supporting measures demonstrated very slight improvement in patient-perceived sleep disturbance from nocturia over the course of the study. NSQS test-retest reliabilities were generally satisfactory. Correlations between NSQS items and related patient-reported measures tended to support the construct validity of the NSQS, and the known-groups analyses supplied evidence of its discriminating ability. NSQS responsiveness statistics were small. CONCLUSIONS: The NSQS is a reliable and valid measure of the impact of nocturia on patients' sleep. The present analyses lay the psychometric groundwork for the use of the NSQS in future clinical trials to support product approval and labeling claims.

Efficacy and safety of 25 and 50 µg desmopressin orally disintegrating tablets in Japanese patients with nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria: Results from two phase 3 studies of a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group development program.

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of desmopressin orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) in Japanese males (50 and 25 µg) and females (25 µg) with nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria (NP). Two Phase 3 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies of 342 males and 190 females with nocturia due to NP were conducted. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean number of nocturnal voids. In addition, time to first awakening to void, nocturnal urine volume, NP index (NPI), and quality of life were assessed during a 12-week treatment period. In males, 50 and 25 µg desmopressin ODTs significantly reduced the number of nocturnal voids by -1.21 (P < .0001) and - 0.96 (P = .0143), respectively, and significantly prolonged the time to first awakening to void by 117.60 minutes (P < .0001) and 93.37 minute (P = .0009), respectively, with no safety concerns. In females, 25 µg desmopressin ODT significantly prolonged the time to first awakening to void by 116.11 minutes (P = .0257), with no safety concerns. The reduction in the number of nocturnal voids (-1.11) was not significantly different compared with placebo (P = .0975). Desmopressin ODTs (50 and 25 µg) were an effective and well-tolerated treatment for nocturia due to NP in Japanese males, and desmopressin ODT 50 µg is an appropriate dose in these patients. For patients who are likely to experience hyponatremia, such as elderly males, starting with 25 µg desmopressin ODT should be considered.

An exploratory pilot study with copeptin as a biomarker for individualizing treatment for nocturnal polyuria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of random copeptin concentrations as possible biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of nocturnal polyuria (NP). METHODS: In all, 111 patients with and without nocturia were enrolled in the study. Patients with a neurogenic bladder and/or those who had undergone bladder or urethral surgery were excluded from the study. All patients completed a 72-hour frequency-volume chart and a renal function profile. A random blood sample was obtained during the day for measurement of plasma copeptin concentrations, osmolality, and serum sodium and creatinine concentrations. The effect of the use of different definitions for NP was evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of the study participants was 61 years, and 48% were female. Copeptin was significantly correlated with urinary and plasma osmolality, as well as free water clearance (r=0.43, 0.56 and -0.38 respectively; P < .001 for all). Study participants were divided into 3 groups: controls (n = 51), those with NP (n = 41), and those with global polyuria (n = 19). Copeptin concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with global polyuria than in those with NP and the control group (2.96 vs 3.97 and 3.94 pM, respectively; P = .008 and .005). There was no significant difference in random daytime copeptin concentrations between the NP and control groups (P = .972). The results differed when other definitions for NP were used (e.g. NPi33 or NUP10). CONCLUSIONS: We could not confirm our hypothesis that patients with NP have lower copeptin concentrations, although random blood sampling is not ideal. Further research is required to determine the use of copeptin in NP, perhaps in the identification of the desmopressin response.

Low-dose Desmopressin and Tolterodine Combination Therapy for Treating Nocturia in Women with Overactive Bladder: A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of desmopressin/tolterodine combination therapy in women. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, proof-of-concept study enrolled 106 patients (≥18 years), with overactive bladder (OAB) and nocturia, with ≥2 nocturnal voids, receiving a 3-month once-daily combination (desmopressin 25 µg, orally-disintegrating tablets [ODT]/tolterodine 4 mg [Detrol® LA]; n = 49) or monotherapy (tolterodine 4 mg/placebo ODT; n = 57). Primary endpoint was change from baseline in mean number of nocturnal voids. Secondary endpoints were change from baseline in nocturnal voided volume, time to first nocturnal void, and quality-of-life. Post-hoc exploratory analysis were performed for patients with and without baseline nocturnal polyuria (NP, n = 47 each). RESULTS: Overall population showed a non-significant reduction in mean number of nocturnal voids with combination versus monotherapy (full analysis set: adjusted treatment contrast [TC], -0.34; P = 0.112). Change in mean nocturnal void volume (TC, -64.16 mL; P = 0.103), mean time to first nocturnal void (TC, 18.00 min; P = 0.385) and Nocturia Impact (NI) Diary© scores were comparable. In post-hoc analysis, NP patients showed a benefit with combination versus monotherapy for nocturnal void volume (P = 0.034) and time to first nocturnal void (P = 0.045), and a non-significant improvement in NI Diary© scores. Safety profile was comparable between treatments. A single transient event of asymptomatic clinically significant hyponatremia in combination group resolved subsequently. CONCLUSION: Low-dose desmopressin could be safely combined with tolterodine for treating nocturia in women with OAB, with a significant benefit in women with NP. Further, prospective validation studies of combination therapy are warranted in mixed NP/OAB population, based on this favorable proof-of-concept finding.

Desmopressin as an adjuvant to opioids or NSAIDs in treatment of renal colic: a nationwide register-based study.

AIMS: Desmopressin has been reported to be effective as an adjuvant to opioids or NSAIDs in management of pain in renal colic; however real-life data are lacking on the utilisation of desmopressin in this patient segment. METHODS: The Danish National Prescription Registry data-linked with Danish National Patient Registry during a 3-year period from 2009 to 2011 was used to study prescriptions for desmopressin in renal colic. RESULTS: We identified 888 desmopressin prescriptions for renal colic, dispensed to 95 patients. The mean treatment period was 159 days, with a large variation up to a maximum of 924 days. Approximately two thirds of patients received dosing instructions to administer the drug 4 times daily to provide 24-h antidiuretic coverage. Among concomitant opioids and NSAIDs, tramadol and ibuprofen were prescribed most frequently. Antidepressants and diuretics were also widely used. A clear sex difference was seen, with female renal colic patients having three times more prescriptions overall than males, and in particular receiving more antidepressants and psychotropic drugs. A total of 4 (4.2%) of the patients experienced hospital admissions because of hyponatraemia or polydipsia during the 3-year period. We confirmed a previous case report that nephrolithiasis could be at least an occasional complication of successful therapy of Central Diabetes Insipidus (CDI) with desmopressin, identifying 12 CDI patients in total, or 2.4% of all Danish CDI patients in that period, who were also treated for renal colic. CONCLUSION: In summary, these real-life prescription data provide exact epidemiological measures on desmopressin utilisation in renal colic.

Delay of first voiding episode is associated with longer reported sleep duration.

OBJECTIVES: Time to first void is a common outcome in nocturia clinical trials, but its relationship to other conventional self-reported sleep measures is uncertain. We examined associations between change in time to first void and change in sleep duration over the course of such a trial. METHODS: Secondary data analyses were based on a previously published study of a medication treating nocturia in 757 adult patients studied for periods up to 5 months. We used repeated-measures logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine the odds ratios (ORs) for achieving 6.0, 6.5, or 7.0 hours of total sleep duration based on increases of time to first void of 1, 2, or 3 hours. RESULTS: Increases in time to first void were associated with longer sleep durations from beginning to end of study. A 1-hour increment in time to first void was associated with a higher likelihood of obtaining a total sleep duration of e6 (OR = 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-1.73), e6.5 (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.16-1.47), or e7 (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.37) hours, after controlling for baseline time to first void, baseline sleep duration, time, and age (all Ps < .0001). Similar results were seen for 2- and 3-hour increments in time to first void. CONCLUSIONS: Time to first void may be an important supplementary variable about which to inquire in population-based studies.

Management of nocturia: the role of antidiuretic pharmacotherapy.

Strategies to manage nocturia include lifestyle modifications and treatment with alpha-blockers, antimuscarinic therapies, and antidiuretics. The concept of achieving success should not be limited to reduction of nighttime voids; it should ideally include proof of improvement of conditions generally associated with nocturia, such as falls, quality of life, and overall health. Few studies have looked specifically at parameters other than nocturnal voids, such as sleep latency, first undisturbed sleep period (FUSP), and total sleep time, including their clinical relevance to patient well-being. Lifestyle modifications, such as voiding before bedtime, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and adjusting medication timing, may be initially effective in mild cases of nocturia. Statistically significant reductions in voiding have been reported with antimuscarinic agents and alpha-blockers as initial therapy, but these reductions generally are not clinically relevant. The antidiuretic therapy desmopressin acetate, a selective vasopressin receptor 2 agonist, is effective in adults with nocturia associated with nocturnal polyuria; however, hyponatremia can occur. The newest formulation-desmopressin orally disintegrating sublingual tablet (ODST)--has greater bioavailability; thus, lower doses can be used, potentially reducing hyponatremia risk. A phase 3 study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in nocturnal voids for desmopressin ODST 50 and 100 µg versus placebo (-1.18 and -1.43 vs. -0.86; P = 0.02 and P < 0.0001, respectively) in patients with nocturia. Treatment was well-tolerated, and low-dose desmopressin ODST was associated with statistically significant increases in duration of FUSP. Development of a validated composite endpoint may help clinicians identify and compare strategies for treating nocturia.