Efficacy and safety of solifenacin for overactive bladder: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic disease with the symptoms of urgency with or without incontinence. Solifenacin is an antimuscarinic drug that Excels in OAB treatment due to its specific bladder receptor targeting. While previous research had positive outcomes, reports of adverse events (AEs) highlight the need for regular updates on the safety and efficacy of solifenacin for OAB management. This study followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered to PROSPERO CRD42023445318. A comprehensive search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases was conducted until July 2023. Data were analyzed using Review Manager version 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark). Solifenacin had a significantly better effect in decreasing urgency episode (mean difference (MD) = −1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.29–−0.89, P < 0.00001), incontinence episode (MD = −0.56, 95% CI: −0.80–−0.32, P < 0.00001), micturition frequency (MD = −1.01, 95% CI: −1.16–−0.85, P < 0.00001), nocturia episode (MD = −0.13, 95% CI: −0.25–−0.01, P = 0.04), and had a higher urine volume (MD = 26.88, 95% CI: 24.17–29.59, P < 0.00001) per 24 h compared to placebo. Solifenacin had a significant number of AEs compared to placebo (MD = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25–2.45, P = 0.001). Solifenacin significantly decreased urgency episode, incontinence episodes, micturition frequency, and nocturia episode, and had a higher urine volume per 24 h. There was a significant number of AEs in patients receiving solifenacin.