Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study

Purpose:: To explore preliminary data on the subjective impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, commonly used for diabetes and obesity, on symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), in order to guide future, larger-scale investigations. Methods:: We distributed an anonymous survey on an onlin...

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Main Authors: Max D. Sandler, Adam D. Williams, Alan Wein, Katherine Amin, Raveen Syan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Continence Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772974525000067
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author Max D. Sandler
Adam D. Williams
Alan Wein
Katherine Amin
Raveen Syan
author_facet Max D. Sandler
Adam D. Williams
Alan Wein
Katherine Amin
Raveen Syan
author_sort Max D. Sandler
collection DOAJ
description Purpose:: To explore preliminary data on the subjective impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, commonly used for diabetes and obesity, on symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), in order to guide future, larger-scale investigations. Methods:: We distributed an anonymous survey on an online forum. Participants aged 18 or older who had used GLP-1 agonists and experienced OAB symptoms were eligible. We collected data on participants’ OAB symptoms, body weight changes, reasons for GLP-1 prescription, and demographics. Data was analyzed using SAS® software, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results:: Of 33 respondents, 27 identified as female and 6 male. All used semaglutide, primarily for weight loss (96.9%). Four had a urinary condition besides OAB. Eleven (33.3%) reported OAB symptom improvement after starting GLP-1 agonists with mean weight loss of 12.2%, but this was not significantly different from those with no change or worsening symptoms (8.4% and 10% mean weight loss, respectively; p = 0.24). Half of those with OAB episodes at least once daily experienced symptom improvement, compared to 7.7% with less frequent symptoms (p = 0.01). Of participants reporting symptom improvement, 90.91% experienced OAB daily (p = 0.01). Conclusion:: While weight loss can improve OAB symptoms, the impact of GLP-1 agonists remains unclear. Our findings may suggest that those with more frequent OAB symptoms at baseline may derive greater benefit from GLP-1 agonists, offering a potential hypothesis for future investigation. Further studies are needed to explore how these medications impact management of OAB.
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spelling doaj-art-fedcf8e4c2034418b95f7ec7d1974c632025-08-20T02:39:28ZengElsevierContinence Reports2772-97452025-06-011410008310.1016/j.contre.2025.100083Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot studyMax D. Sandler0Adam D. Williams1Alan Wein2Katherine Amin3Raveen Syan4Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USADesai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USADesai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USADesai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorresponding author.; Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USAPurpose:: To explore preliminary data on the subjective impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, commonly used for diabetes and obesity, on symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), in order to guide future, larger-scale investigations. Methods:: We distributed an anonymous survey on an online forum. Participants aged 18 or older who had used GLP-1 agonists and experienced OAB symptoms were eligible. We collected data on participants’ OAB symptoms, body weight changes, reasons for GLP-1 prescription, and demographics. Data was analyzed using SAS® software, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results:: Of 33 respondents, 27 identified as female and 6 male. All used semaglutide, primarily for weight loss (96.9%). Four had a urinary condition besides OAB. Eleven (33.3%) reported OAB symptom improvement after starting GLP-1 agonists with mean weight loss of 12.2%, but this was not significantly different from those with no change or worsening symptoms (8.4% and 10% mean weight loss, respectively; p = 0.24). Half of those with OAB episodes at least once daily experienced symptom improvement, compared to 7.7% with less frequent symptoms (p = 0.01). Of participants reporting symptom improvement, 90.91% experienced OAB daily (p = 0.01). Conclusion:: While weight loss can improve OAB symptoms, the impact of GLP-1 agonists remains unclear. Our findings may suggest that those with more frequent OAB symptoms at baseline may derive greater benefit from GLP-1 agonists, offering a potential hypothesis for future investigation. Further studies are needed to explore how these medications impact management of OAB.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772974525000067Overactive bladderUrge incontinenceUrinary incontinenceGlucagon-like Peptide 1SemaglutideWeight loss agents
spellingShingle Max D. Sandler
Adam D. Williams
Alan Wein
Katherine Amin
Raveen Syan
Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
Continence Reports
Overactive bladder
Urge incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Glucagon-like Peptide 1
Semaglutide
Weight loss agents
title Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
title_full Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
title_fullStr Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
title_short Effects of Glucagon like Peptide-1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder: A pilot study
title_sort effects of glucagon like peptide 1 agonists on patients with overactive bladder a pilot study
topic Overactive bladder
Urge incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Glucagon-like Peptide 1
Semaglutide
Weight loss agents
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772974525000067
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