Women who rely on incontinence pads and pants are signing up to take part in an innovative clinical trial in the US.
The 16-week Remote study will investigate the effectiveness of a treatment called Detrol LA, which is designed to treat overactive bladder, also known as urge incontinence.

About 17 per cent of women are thought to be affected by urge urinary incontinence, but many are too embarrassed to visit their GP to discuss the problem. he new trial will enable patients to participate via mobile phones and the internet, rather than repeatedly having to visit a healthcare professional. People with female incontinence who are interested in the trial will be able to sign up and complete a questionnaire via the internet, after which they will be sent their medication.

Dr Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer of Pfizer, which is running the trial, said: "For the first time we can make it possible for patients to participate in clinical trials without having to visit physical sites. "Studies like Remote could make biomedical science much more accessible to people who have long been excluded from or under-represented in clinical trials." Detrol LA is designed to calm the bladder muscle that is responsible for the frequent, sudden urges felt by people with an overactive bladder.