The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder on the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library using terms for overactive bladder, antimuscarinic agents, and beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists. The primary end point was the emergence of urinary tract infection after pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder. The secondary end point was the emergence of urinary retention, dysuria, and/or increased residual urine volume after overactive bladder treatment. Metaanalyses were conducted using random-effects models. Results: A total of 35,939 patients in 33 trials (29 trials of antimuscarinic agents vs placebo, and 9 trials of beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists vs placebo) that included patients with overactive bladder were identified. At 1-3 months after treatment, the incidence of urinary tract infections was statistically significantly higher in the patients treated with antimuscarinic agents (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.45; P [ .013) than in the placebo control group. The incidence of urinary tract infections was not increased in the patients treated with beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.76, 1.42; P [ .796). Antimuscarinic agents also statistically significantly increased the risks of urinary retention, dysuria, and/or increased residual urine volume (RR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.79, 4.63; P < .001), whereas beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists did not (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.38, 4.14; P [ .708). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that antimuscarinic agents statistically significantly increased the incidences of urinary tract infection and lower urinary tract symptoms and dysfunction, but beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists did not. To prevent urinary tract infection emergence, beta 3eadrenoceptor agonists might be safer than antimuscarinic agents.
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