For over 15 years, Astellas Pharma has been providing a portfolio of market-leading urology medicines in the areas of Overactive Bladder (OAB) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
OAB is a medical condition that affects both men and women and can significantly impact the quality of life of sufferers. It is estimated that 16% of the Irish population over the age of 40 (approximately 350,000 Irish people) may be affected.
The condition affects the way your bladder behaves, resulting in an involuntary and sudden contraction of the muscle in the wall of the bladder, even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. These contractions give rise to the symptoms associated with OAB; such as the urgent need to pass urine, frequent need to go to the toilet (eight or more times a day or two or more times a night) and, in some cases, accidental leakage of urine.
OAB is a significantly under-diagnosed condition that may result in incontinence. Meeting this unmet medical need and improving the quality of life for OAB sufferers is a central focus for Astellas, both with its current portfolio and its ongoing research and development efforts.
LUTS and BPH are two other serious urological conditions, with BPH affecting more than 50% of men over the age of 50 and more than 90% of men over the age of 80. As with OAB, both LUTS and BPH are disruptive to normal life, causing the frequent and urgent need to go to the toilet, and similarly, both are often significantly under-diagnosed.
Astellas is committed to supporting the wider Urology community and helping increase awareness of underdiagnosed conditions such as OAB. We support World Continence Week and run our own OAB Disease Awareness Campaign annually (#ControlOAB).
Astellas Pharma Ireland have developed a comprehensive web resource for people living with overactive bladder, OAB.ie. This includes an online OAB Self-Assessment Test and downloadable resources to support those affected by the condition.
To learn more please visit: www.oab.ie
