Hypothesis / aims of study
Nocturia is a highly prevalent, under-recognized condition associated with disrupted sleep, reduced productivity, and negative impacts on overall health and health-related quality of life. The first uninterrupted sleep period (FUSP) is defined as the time from bedtime to first nocturic void (NOV) or awakening if no void occurred. The first 3-4 hours of sleep includes deep, slow wave, restorative sleep, which is correlated with improved productivity the next day. AV002 is an emulsified microdose vasopressin analog nasal spray approved for the treatment of nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria (NP). The effect of AV002 on FUSP and percentage of nights with ≤1 NOV were assessed in patients (pts) ≥65 years (y) and ≥75y in two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind pivotal studies.
Study design, materials and methods
Patients with a history of ≥2 NOVs per night for ≥6 months (n=1333) were randomized to AV002 1.66mcg, AV002 0.83mcg, or placebo and treated for 12 weeks. FUSP and the percentage of nights with ≤1 NOV were measured. Safety evaluations included adverse events (AEs) and incidence of hyponatremia (moderate hyponatremia is defined as serum sodium 126-129 mmol/L and severe hyponatremia as ≤125 mmol/L).
Interpretation of results
Both ≥65y and ≥75y patients treated with AV002 demonstrated significant improvement in duration of first uninterrupted sleep period and percentage of nights with ≤1 nocturic void. For both age groups, the mean first uninterrupted sleep period after treatment was greater than 4 hours for 1.66mcg group and approximately 4 hours for 0.83mcg group. No patients treated with 0.83mcg (recommended starting dose for patients ≥65 years old) had severe hyponatremia. These results suggest AV002 is an effective therapy with a favorable safety profile in older adults with nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria.