Multimodal therapy for painful bladder syndrome / interstitial cystitis: pilot study combining behavioral, pharmacologic, and endoscopic therapies. Safety and dose flexibility clinical evaluation of intravesical liposome in patients with interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome. Intravesical hyaluronic acid and alkalinized lidocaine for the treatment of severe painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group pilot evaluation of the efficacy and safety of intravesical sodium chondroitin sulfate versus vehicle control in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. A combined intravesical therapy with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin for refractory painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis A placebo-controlled study of intravesical pentosanpolysulphate for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. Treatment of interstitial cystitis with Cystistat®, A hyaluronic acid product Combined intravesical sodium hyaluronate/chondroitin sulfate therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a prospective study Intravesical hyaluronic acid for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome: a comparative randomized assessment of different regimens. Randomized multicenter clinical trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and pelvic floor tenderness. Association between response to pentosan polysulfate sodium therapy for interstitial cystitis and patient questionnaire-based treatment satisfaction* A Pilot Open Label Study of Cystoprotek® in Interstitial Cystitis Results of endovesical hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome. Transdermal posterior tibial nerve laser therapy is not effective in women with interstitial cystitis. Intravesical liposome versus oral pentosan polysulfate for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Intravesical hyaluronic acid in the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis. Successful downregulation of bladder sensory nerves with combination of heparin and alkalinized lidocaine in patients with interstitial cystitis.
PURPOSE We evaluated the effectiveness of combining behavioral therapy , pharmacologic therapy and endoscopic hydrodistension for treating  painful bladder syndrome / interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) .  MATERIAL S AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with PBS/IC were prospect ively enrolled in a pilot multimodal behavioral , pharmacologic and endoscopic treatment protocol . Behavioral modification included diet recommendations , fluid restriction to 64 oz . /day , progressive timed voiding and Kegel exercises . Oral pharmacologic therapy consisted of daily doses of macrodantin 100 mg , hydroxyzine 10 - 20 mg and urised 4 tablets .  Patients underwent endoscopic bladder hydrodistention under anesthesia  at least 2 weeks after protocol enrollment . Behavioral and pharmacological treatments were continued after the hydrodistention . O'Leary-Sant question naire scores were recorded before starting the protocol , after pharmacologic/behavioral therapy , 2 months post-hydrodistension , and at scheduled follow-up . RESULTS Eighteen patients ( 72 % ) completed the pilot multimodal treatment protocol and were followed for a mean of 10.2 months . All patients were female with a median age of 36.3 years and had mean bladder capacity under anesthesia of 836 milliliters .  Mean O'Leary-Sant symptom index scores for baseline symptoms , after behavioral/pharmacologic treatment , post-hydrodistension and during follow up were 12.5 , 8.6 , 7.0 , and 6.7 ( p < 0.05 ) . Mean O'Leary-Sant problem index scores for baseline , after behavioral/pharmacologic treatment , post-hydrodistention and during follow up were 12.7 , 8.9 , 6.7 , and 7.7 ( p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Our pilot multimodal protocol of behavioral modification , pharmacologic therapy and endoscopic hydrodistention demonstrated a significant progressive improvement in PBS/IC quality of life scores , compared to a pre-treatment baseline . These results should be vali date d in a larger , placebo controlled trial To present single institution open-label experience with intravesical liposomes ( LPs ) , a mucosal protective agent , in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome ( IC/PBS ) and to assess the safety and efficacy on IC/PBS symptoms . A total of 17 symptomatic IC/PBS patients were treated with intravesical LPs ( 80mg/40mL distilled water ) once a week for 4 weeks ( n=12 ) or twice a week treatment for 4 weeks ( n=5 ) . The primary outcome was the change in the O'Leary-Sant Symptom/Problem score and O'Leary-Sant total Score from baseline to Week 4 and Week 8 . Other outcome measurements included the changes in pain scale , urgency scale , voiding log , and patient global assessment . Both weekly and biweekly LP instillation regiments were well tolerated . The incidence of urinary incontinence , retention , or unanticipated adverse changes was not noted at any dose either during the treatment or at the 4-week follow-up . The O'Leary-Sant Symptom/Problem score , O'Leary-Sant total Score , and pain score were significantly improved from baseline at both dose regimens with added benefit with the biweekly regimen . Intravesical LPs treatment is safe and its efficacy has sustained duration . Furthermore large-scale , placebo-controlled studies are warranted to assess the efficacy for this promising new treatment for IC/PBS Introduction and hypothesisIntravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid ( HA ) may restore the integrity of glycosaminoglycan layer in patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) , and the benefit may be improved with addition of alkalinized lidocaine ( AL ) . Methods 48 women with severe PBS/IC who failed oral medications were enrolled and divided into one trial and two control groups . The trial group received intravesical 40 mg HA , 10 ml of 2 % lidocaine and 5 ml of 8.4 % sodium bicarbonate on a weekly basis for 8 weeks and then monthly for 4 months with a subsequent follow-up of 24 weeks , while the two control groups received 40 mg HA and mixture of 10 ml of 2 % lidocaine and 5 ml of 8.4%sodium bicarbonate respectively following the same procedure . Response to therapy was evaluated by Global Response Assessment , voids per day , Visual Analogue Scale for pain , frequency and urgency , O’leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index , cystoscopy and bladder capacity . Results Overall 45 patients finished this study protocol . The HA + AL group and the AL group showed significant improvement at week 2 ( P < 0.01 ) , while the HA group began to show effect at week 4 ( P < 0.01 ) . There was no improvement in the AL group at week 24 and these patients quitted the study without follow up . Contrarily , the HA + AL and HA group kept on improving till the end of the study without significant difference between the two groups . Conclusions Intravesical instillation of HA and AL may provide both immediate and sustained relief of symptoms in severe PBS/IC in this preliminary study OBJECTIVE The goal of this pilot study was to gather information on differences between intravesical chondroitin sulfate and inactive vehicle control for treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome ( IC/PBS ) . METHODS This was a prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , inactive vehicle-controlled , 12-week study ( 6-week treatment period , followed by a 6-week follow-up period ) in patients with IC/PBS . Patients were r and omized to weekly intravesical treatment with 2.0 % sodium chondroitin sulfate in phosphate-buffered saline or intravesical vehicle control . Primary efficacy analysis compared responders ( moderately or markedly improved ) according to the 7-point Global Response Assessment . Secondary endpoints include question naires focused on symptoms and quality of life . RESULTS Sixty-five evaluable patients were r and omized . At the primary endpoint analysis ( week 7 ) , 22.6 % of the vehicle control group were responders compared with 39.4 % of the active therapy group ( P = .15 ) . There was no statistically significant difference for any of the secondary endpoints . Overall , 76.9 % of the patients in the study reported at least 1 adverse event ; most were mild or moderate , the majority associated with the vehicle control treatment . Nine nonserious intervention-related adverse events were reported in 3 patients in the vehicle control group compared with 2 in 1 patient in the active treatment group . CONCLUSION The difference in treatment effect in this small underpowered study was not statistically significant , although twice as many patients reported a clinical ly significant benefit with intravesical chondroitin sulfate treatment compared with vehicle control treatment . This trial provides data required to design a well-powered r and omized vehicle-controlled trial to determine the true efficacy of this potentially promising therapy The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of intravesical instillations of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid ( HA ) 1.6 % and chondroitin sulfate ( CS ) 2.0 % in patients with refractory painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) and to observe their impact on Quality of Life . Twenty-three women were enrolled . They received bladder instillations with HA and CS weekly for 20 weeks and then monthly for 3 months . Mean follow-up after completion of therapy was 5 months . We observed a significant improvement in urinary symptoms on voiding diaries and Visual Analogue Scale for frequency ( p = 0.045 ) , urgency ( p = 0.005 ) , and pain ( p = 0.001 ) . The O’Leary – Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index result ed in a significant improvement in both scores ( p = 0.004 and 0.01 , respectively ) . The Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Symptom Scale only showed significant improvement in the symptom score ( p = 0.001 ) . This promising experience seems to offer an additional therapeutic option in patients with refractory PBS/IC OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intravesical pentosanpolysulphate ( PPS ) compared with placebo in patients with interstitial cystitis ( IC ) . PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for IC participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study ; 10 received intravesical PPS ( 300 mg in 50 mL of 0.9 % sodium chloride ) applied twice a week for 3 months and the other 10 received a placebo .  Symptomatic relief and objective variables ( bladder capacity voiding volumes and urinary frequency ) were assessed after 3 months and the long-term outcome of those continuing treatment was determined . RESULTS Of the patients treated with PPS , four gained significant symptomatic relief compared with only two receiving placebo . Only the urodynamic bladder capacity showed a statistically significant increase in patients treated with PPS ( P = 0.047 ) . At 18 months from the start of the study , the symptoms were relieved in eight patients while still receiving PPS instillations and in four without treatment . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that intravesical PPS is an effective option for the treatment of IC and shows that the intravesical application of PPS is a safe treatment with no important side-effects Objective . To determine whether intravesical hyaluronic acid is effective in reducing the urinary frequency and pain associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome ( IC/PBS ) . Material and methods . In a prospect i ve , unblinded , uncontrolled pilot study , 20 patients ( age range 34–80 years ) , all suffering from IC/PBS , received weekly bladder instillations of hyaluronic acid for 1 month and monthly instillations for a further 2 months . Patients were then offered further monthly instillations and all were subsequently evaluated after 3 years . Patient outcomes assessed were urinary frequency , use of analgesics and pain . Results . All patients completed the 3 months of hyaluronic acid treatment with mean decreases in nocturia and pain of 40 % and 30 % , respectively , and a decrease in analgesic use . Thirteen patients ( 65 % ) responded to treatment ( responders ) and continued therapy , while seven patients withdrew , six because of a lack of response and one due to cystectomy . In the 13 patients who continued hyaluronic acid instillations , four complete responders ( 30 % ) ceased therapy after a strong positive response ( 36 % , 60 % and 81 % decreases compared to baseline in day-time voids , night-time voids and pain scores , respectively ) which was maintained in the absence of continuous therapy , while after 3 years seven partial responders ( 35 % ) were still on therapy ( 25 % and 43 % decreases compared to baseline in day-time voids and pain scores , respectively ) . Two patients developed other diseases during follow-up and showed no response to long-term therapy . Hyaluronic acid was well tolerated by all patients . Conclusion . Hyaluronic acid safely reduced the pain and , to a lesser degree , the urinary frequency associated with IC Objectives : The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of intravesical treatment combining sodium hyaluronate ( HA ) and chondroitin sulfate ( CS ) in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome ( IC/BPS ) . Methods : Between February 2010 and May 2011 , 20 consecutive women with IC/BPS were treated with intravesical instillations containing sodium HA ( 1.6 % ; 800 mg/50 ml ) and sodium CS ( 2 % ; 1 g/50 ml ) weekly for the first month , biweekly for the second month , and then monthly for at least 3 months . Before and after treatment , all patients filled in the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index ( ICSI/ICPI ) , the Patient Health Question naire 9 and the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale ( PUF ) . Treatment efficacy was assessed by comparing the pre- and post-treatment mean scores of the three question naires using Student ’s t test ( p value < 0.05 was considered significant ) . Results : Statistically significant mean decreases in ICSI ( from 13.0 to 9.3 ; p = 0.0003 ) , ICPI ( from 11.35 to 8.85 ; p = 0.0078 ) and PUF ( from 20.0 to 15.75 ; p = 0.0007 ) question naire scores were seen . No cases of side effects or complications were observed . The mean follow up was 5 months . Conclusions : Despite the limitations of this study , the outcomes confirmed the role of combination therapy with HA and CS as a safe and effective option for the treatment of IC/BPS . Further r and omized controlled studies with a higher number of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to confirm these results OBJECTIVES To compare the clinical effectiveness of different regimens of intravesical hyaluronic acid instillation for patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome . METHODS A total of 60 patients ( age 16 - 77 years ) diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome were enrolled in this prospect i ve , r and omized study . A total of 30 patients were assigned to receive four weekly intravesical instillations of 40 mg of hyaluronic acid followed by five monthly instillations ( hyaluronic acid-9 group ) . Another 30 patients received 12 intravesical instillations of 40 mg hyaluronic acid every 2 weeks ( hyaluronic acid-12 group ) . Symptomatic changes after hyaluronic acid treatments were assessed using Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Indexes , pain visual analog scale , functional bladder capacity , frequency and nocturia in voiding diary , maximum flow rate , voided volume , postvoid residual volume , and Quality of Life Index at 1 , 3 and 6 months . RESULTS Of the 60 patients , 59 were evaluable at the end of the study . The Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index , Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index and total score , pain visual analog scale , functional bladder capacity , maximum flow rate , and Quality of Life Index improved significantly after 6 months in both groups . The frequency and voided volume improved significantly only in the hyaluronic acid-12 group . However , patients with moderate and marked improvement were clinical ly similar in both groups . The measured variables did not differ between the two groups over the course of the study . CONCLUSION No significant difference was noted in the therapeutic effect between two hyaluronic acid instillation regimens for treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome patients . Both groups showed significant improvement in symptom scores and Quality of Life Index PURPOSE We determined the efficacy and safety of pelvic floor myofascial physical therapy compared to global therapeutic massage in women with newly symptomatic interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A r and omized controlled trial of 10 scheduled treatments of myofascial physical therapy vs global therapeutic massage was performed at 11 clinical centers in North America . We recruited women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with demonstrable pelvic floor tenderness on physical examination and a limitation of no more than 3 years ' symptom duration . The primary outcome was the proportion of responders defined as moderately improved or markedly improved in overall symptoms compared to baseline on a 7-point global response assessment scale . Secondary outcomes included ratings for pain , urgency and frequency , the O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index , and reports of adverse events . We compared response rates between treatment arms using the exact conditional version of the Mantel-Haenszel test to control for clustering by clinical center . For secondary efficacy outcomes cross-sectional descriptive statistics and changes from baseline were calculated . RESULTS A total of 81 women r and omized to the 2 treatment groups had similar symptoms at baseline . The global response assessment response rate was 26 % in the global therapeutic massage group and 59 % in the myofascial physical therapy group ( p=0.0012 ) . Pain , urgency and frequency ratings , and O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index decreased in both groups during followup , and were not significantly different between the groups . Pain was the most common adverse event , occurring at similar rates in both groups . No serious adverse events were reported . CONCLUSIONS A significantly higher proportion of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome responded to treatment with myofascial physical therapy than to global therapeutic massage . Myofascial physical therapy may be a beneficial therapy in women with this syndrome ABSTRACT Objective : To evaluate the relationship between symptom reduction and satisfaction with pentosan polysulfate sodium ( PPS ) therapy in subjects with interstitial cystitis ( IC ) . Methods : A secondary analysis was conducted in 128 subjects treated with PPS 300 mg/day ( US Food and Drug Administration-approved dose ) from a 32-week multicenter , r and omized , double-blind study of 380 subjects with IC who were treated with PPS 300 mg/day , 600 mg/day , or 900 mg/day .  Self-rated outcome measures included the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index ( ICSI ) and a treatment satisfaction question naire . Treatment responders were defined as subjects having ≥30 % reduction in ICSI from baseline to study end point . Results : A reduction in IC symptoms was associated with significantly higher satisfaction with PPS ( p < 0.05 ) . Compared with nonresponders , subjects achieving a ≥30 % reduction in ICSI were more likely to be pleased with PPS for IC symptoms , to have benefited from PPS for their IC symptoms , to recommend PPS for IC symptoms to others with the same condition , and to say that PPS provides better relief , based on prior experience with other IC treatments . Among all subjects at week 32 , 75 % said they would recommend PPS therapy for IC symptoms to others with the condition . Conclusion : Despite limitations ( lack of placebo control , use of a nonvali date d instrument ) , this analysis demonstrated significantly increased treatment satisfaction with PPS therapy among treatment responders versus nonresponders . There was a significant positive correlation between ICSI scores and response on the treatment satisfaction question naire . Treatment response and patient satisfaction with treatment are important clinical considerations in the management of patients with IC Interstitial cystitis ( IC ) is a disorder of the urinary bladder characterized by urgency , frequency , nocturia and suprapubic pain . IC occurs primarily in women and symptoms are exacerbated by stress , ovulatory hormones and certain foods . IC pathogenesis is unknown , but the most consistent findings involve some dysfunction of the bladder glycosaminoglycan ( GAG ) protective layer and a high number of activated bladder mast cells . There is no effective therapy even through intravesical administration of dimethylsulfoxide ( DMSO ) or oral pentosanpolysulfate ( PPS ) have had variable success . A dietary supplement , CystoProtek ® , was formulated with the natural GAG components chondroitin sulfate and sodium hyaluronate to provide urothelial cytoprotection , together with the flavonoid quercetin that has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits activation of mast cells . Thirty-seven female patients diagnosed by the NIDDK criteria who had failed all forms of therapy  took six softgel CystoProtek ® capsules per day for 6 months . Global assessment scale was reduced from 9.0 ± 2.9 to 4.3 ± 2.1 ( p < 0.05 ) ; moreover , the O'Leary/Sant Symptom Index decreased from 16.3 ± 3.1 to 6.9 ± 4.2 ( p < 0.05 ) and the Problem Index from 13.1 ± 3.7 to 5.4 ± 4.0 ( p < 0.05 ) . These results are very promising and warrant a larger study that may permit further analyses with respect to other , especially atopic , comorbid diseases OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to test the effect of a more viscous compound than existent hyaluronic acid formulation in helping to restore a defective glycosaminoglycan layer , and therefore in improving Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome ( IC/PBS ) symptoms when administered intravesically in IC/PBS patients . METHODS A total of 23 female patients completed the study . Patients received endovesical administration of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate in normal saline , 40 ml , weekly for 12 weeks and then bi-weekly for 6 months , if there was initial response . RESULTS After 12 weeks treatment both Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Index ( ICSI/ICPI ) , pelvic pain and Urgency/Frequency Symptom Scale ( PUF ) showed a mean significant improvement , which was maintained thereafter . The average number of voidings and mean voiding volumes revealed significant improvement after the 12 weeks ' treatment period , with a significant reduction and increase , respectively . Mean voiding volume increased from 143 ml to 191 , which apparently was not reflected in a corresponding reduction of number of daily voids ( from 15,5 to 14 ) . VAS values decreased from 5,4 to 3,6 ( pain ) and from 6,0 to 3,5 ( urgency ) after the treatment cycle , showing a significant improvement . CONCLUSIONS In our preliminary experience , the administration of intravesical hyaluronic acid plus chondroitine sulphate appears to be a safe and efficacious method of treatment in IC/PBS PURPOSE Interstitial cystitis ( IC ) is a debilitating condition which causes irritative bladder symptoms , pain and a decrease in health status . The pathophysiology is poorly understood so therapeutic options are diverse . Percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation is an effective treatment and pulsed transdermal laser stimulation is an established technique for pain management . We evaluated the efficacy of transdermal laser stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve for patients with IC . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Women meeting the National Institutes of Health National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria for IC were prospect ively recruited and r and omized to treatment ( 29 ) or placebo ( 27 ) cohorts in a double-blind trial . At home the patient performed laser therapy daily for 30 seconds over the SP6 acupuncture point for 12 weeks . Measures at baseline and at 84-day followup included the 7-day voiding diary , the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index , Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and R AND 36-Item Health Survey question naires . RESULTS There were no significant differences between the treatment and control cohorts on any of the measures . However , there was a significant decrease between baseline and 12-week followup in the amount voided , symptom problems and severity , and on all 8 SF-36 scales . There was no significant effect of fluid intake . CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated no difference between the active and sham device . However , it is interesting that treatment and control cohorts experienced similar improvements , suggesting that the control cohort improvements may have been due to participants ' belief that they were receiving active treatment from the stimulator . These findings provide support for investigating placebo effects in r and omized trials PURPOSE We evaluated the safety and efficacy of intravesical liposomes , a mucosal protective agent , compared to oral pentosan polysulfate sodium for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome . MATERIAL S AND METHODS We performed a prospect i ve longitudinal study of the effect of 2 independent treatments ( intravesical liposomes and oral pentosan polysulfate sodium ) in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome . Ten possible responses ( or measures ) to treatment were monitored at 3 time points , including baseline , and weeks 4 and 8 . A total of 24 patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome were evaluated in a 1:1 ratio to intravesical liposomes ( 80 mg/40 cc distilled water ) once weekly or to oral pentosan polysulfate sodium ( 100 mg ) 3 times daily for 4 weeks each . RESULTS No patient had urinary incontinence , retention or infection due to liposome instillation . There were no unanticipated adverse events and no significant worsening of symptoms during followup . Statistically significant decreases in urinary frequency and nocturia were observed in each treatment group . Statistically significant decreases in pain , urgency and the O'Leary-Sant symptom score were observed in the liposome group . Decreased urgency in the liposome group had the most profound effect of the ordinal measures . CONCLUSIONS Each glycosaminoglycan directed treatment seemed beneficial . Liposome intravesical instillation is safe for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with potential improvement after 1 course of therapy for up to 8 weeks . Intravesical liposomes achieved efficacy similar to that of oral pentosan polysulfate sodium . Further large-scale placebo controlled studies are needed . Intravesical liposomes appear to be a promising new treatment for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome OBJECTIVES On the assumption that interstitial cystitis ( IC ) is the result of a defective mucous lining of the bladder epithelium , a study was carried out to investigate the activity of hyaluronic acid ( HA ) in the treatment of IC . HA is an important glycosaminoglycan ( GAG ) present in all connective tissues , including the GAG layer of the vesical mucosa . It exhibits a variety of pharmacologic properties that enhance its appeal for the therapy of IC . METHODS A total of 25 patients , with the characteristic picture of IC and refractory to other medical treatments , participated in a trial of  HA .  Patients received 40 mg of HA intravesically on a weekly basis for 4 weeks , then monthly . Response to therapy was evaluated by symptom score , voiding diaries , and visual analog scales . RESULTS An initial positive ( complete+partial ) response of 56 % at week 4 increased to 71 % by week 12 . This response was maintained until week 20 ; beyond week 24 there appears to be a moderate decrease in the effectiveness of the medication . There was no significant toxicity attributable to the presence of HA in the bladder . CONCLUSIONS The response of refractory IC patients to the intravesical administration of HA was gratifying . In the past , many therapies for IC that were initially considered promising failed the test of a controlled study . Further studies will establish the effectiveness of this particular preparation of HA in the treatment of IC OBJECTIVES To test the efficacy of a new intravesical therapeutic solution in relieving urgency/frequency and pain in interstitial cystitis ( IC ) . METHODS A solution of 40,000 U heparin , 8 mL 1 % lidocaine ( 80 mg ; group 1 ) or 2 % lidocaine ( 160 mg ; group 2 ) , and 3 mL 8.4 % sodium bicarbonate was administered intravesically in patients with newly diagnosed IC with significant frequency , urgency , and pain . Using the Patient Overall Rating of Improvement of Symptoms , the response to treatment was evaluated within 20 minutes of instillation in all patients , after 24 to 48 hours in group 2 , and after three treatments per week for 2 weeks in group 2 patients who elected to receive additional instillations . Significant symptom relief was defined as 50 % or greater symptom improvement . RESULTS After one instillation , 35 ( 75 % ) of 47 patients in group 1 ( 1 % lidocaine ) and 33 ( 94 % ) of 35 in group 2 ( 2 % lidocaine ) reported significant immediate symptom relief . The difference in the response rates was statistically significant ( P < 0.01 ) . In group 2 , 50 % of the subjects experienced at least 4 hours of symptom relief from the single instillation , and 16 ( 80 % ) of 20 reported significant sustained symptom relief after 2 weeks of treatment . CONCLUSIONS Intravesical treatment with combined heparin and alkalinized lidocaine immediately reduced the pain and urgency of IC in most patients treated for newly diagnosed IC . Symptom relief lasted beyond the duration of the local anesthetic activity of lidocaine , suggesting the solution suppresses neurologic upregulation . In IC treatment , this new intravesical solution may be helpful in the interval before heparinoid therapy reaches its full effect
Meta- analysis of RCTs showed that only cyclosporine A provided a simultaneous great effect size of SMD on ICSI , pain , and frequency .
Amitriptyline at different dosages showed a great effect size of SMD on pain and urgency or on ICSI and frequency .
The results from the n RCTs showed that the most frequently adopted treatment is oral pentosan polysulfate and that the use of botulinum A toxin intradetrusorial injections in PBS/IC is increasing .
Limited evidence exists for the few treatments for PBS/IC .
The lack of definitive conclusions is due to the great heterogeneity in methodology , symptoms assessment , duration of treatment , and follow-up in both RCTs and n RCTs
CONTEXT Different types of behavioural , dietary , interventional , pharmacologic , and surgical therapies have been used to treat painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) .
Because of the paucity of r and omised placebo-controlled studies on different treatments , an evidence -based management approach has not yet been developed .
OBJECTIVE To critically review and synthesize data from a wide range of current therapeutic approaches to PBS/IC , to quantify the effect size from r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) , and to reach clinical agreement on the efficacy of treatments for PBS/IC .