Impact of intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate on bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis Combined intravesical sodium hyaluronate/chondroitin sulfate therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a prospective study A combined intravesical therapy with hyaluronic acid and chondroitin for refractory painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis Effect of intravesical glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy on bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, bladder capacity and potassium sensitivity Intravesical alkalinized lidocaine (PSD597) offers sustained relief from symptoms of interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome Safety and dose flexibility clinical evaluation of intravesical liposome in patients with interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome. Results of endovesical hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome. Increased risk of bladder cancer following diagnosis with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. Intravesical hyaluronic acid and alkalinized lidocaine for the treatment of severe painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis Etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. Multiple Intravesical Instillations of Low-Dose Resiniferatoxin in the Treatment of Refractory Interstitial Cystitis Treatment of interstitial cystitis with Cystistat®, A hyaluronic acid product Prospective, randomized, double-blind study of safety and tolerability of intravesical resiniferatoxin (RTX) in interstitial cystitis (IC) 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. The Clinical Effectiveness of Intravesical Sodium Hyaluronate (Cystistat®) in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Intravesical liposome versus oral pentosan polysulfate for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Successful downregulation of bladder sensory nerves with combination of heparin and alkalinized lidocaine in patients with interstitial cystitis. Randomized multicenter clinical trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and pelvic floor tenderness.
Introduction and hypothesisIntravesical instillations of hyaluronic acid ( HA ) and chondroitin sulfate ( CS ) may lead to regeneration of the damaged glycosaminoglycan layer in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome ( IC/BPS ) . Methods Twenty-two patients with IC/BPS received intravesical instillations ( 40 ml ) of sodium HA 1.6 % and CS 2.0 % in 0.9 % saline solution ( IALURIL ® , IBSA ) once weekly for 8 weeks , then once every 2 weeks for the next 6 months . Results The score for urgency was reduced from 6.5 to 3.6 ( p = 0.0001 ) , with a reduction in pain scores from an average of 5.6 to 3.2 ( p = 0.0001 ) . The average urine volume increased from 129.7 to 162 ml ( p < 0.0001 ) , with a reduction in the number of voids in 24 h , from 14 to 11.6 ( p < 0.0001 ) . The IC Symptom and Problem Index decreased from 25.7 to 20.3 ( p < 0.0001 ) , and the Pain Urgency Frequency score , from 18.7 to 12.8 ( p < 0.0001 ) . Conclusion The treatment appeared to be effective and well tolerated in IC/BPS in this initial experience 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 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 changes in bladder capacity and potassium sensitivity after glycosaminoglycan ( GAG ) substitution therapy . Material and methods . The study population comprised two groups of female patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( BPS/IC ) : responders ( those with symptom improvement ) and non-responders ( those without symptom improvement ) after a 10-week period of intravesical , episodic , weekly , GAG substitution therapy . A total of 27 volunteers with increased pre-therapeutic potassium sensitivity were enrolled in the study and re-evaluated using the modified comparative potassium test ( maximal bladder capacity with a saline solution versus a 0.2 M KCl solution ) following intravesical GAG substitution therapy . Results . In the 13 responders , the average maximal bladder capacity increased by 17 % with the saline solution and by 101.5 % with the 0.2 M KCl solution . In the 14 non-responders , post-therapeutic average maximal bladder capacity was decreased by 35 % with the saline solution and remained relatively unchanged after instillation with a 0.2 M KCl solution . Conclusion . These data demonstrate that in patients who respond symptomatically to intravesical GAG substitution therapy , cystometric bladder capacity is increased , whereas non-responders experience a decrease in bladder capacity To assess the immediate and sustained relief of the symptoms of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome ( IC/PBlS ) after a consecutive 5‐day course of treatment with intravesical alkalinized lidocaine ( PSD597 ) , and to characterize the pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of intravesical PSD597 in a subgroup of patients 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 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 AIMS Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome ( IC/BPS ) is a prevalent disorder that may contribute to bladder cancer ( BC ) . This cohort study set out to investigate the association between IC/BPS and BC by using a population -based data set . METHODS The data for this study were source d from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program . The case cohort comprised 7,562 patients with IC/BPS , and 22,686 r and omly selected subjects were used as a comparison cohort . A Cox proportional hazards regression model ( stratified by age group , geographic location , urbanization level , and the index year ) was constructed to estimate the risk of subsequent BC following a diagnosis of IC/BPS . We also ran the analysis utilizing an alternative comparison cohort composed of patients with urinary incontinence ( UI ) . RESULTS In the study sample of 30,248 patients , 96 patients ( 0.32 % ) received a diagnosis of BC during the 3-year follow-up period ; 48 ( 0.63 % of patients with IC/BPS ) were from the study cohort ; and 48 ( 0.21 % of patients without IC/BPS ) were from the comparison cohort . The incidence rate of BC was 2.12 ( 95 % CI : 1.58 - 2.78 ) per 1,000 person-years in patients with IC/BPS and 0.70 ( 95 % CI : 0.52 - 0.92 ) per 1,000 person-years in comparison patients . Cox proportional analysis revealed that the adjusted HR for BC during the 3-year follow-up period for patients with IC/BPS was 2.95 ( 95 % CI : 1.97 - 4.41 ) that of comparison subjects . When performing the analysis with the alternative UI comparison cohort , the adjusted HR for BC was 1.96 ( 95 % CI : 1.14 - 3.39 ) . CONCLUSIONS This investigation detected a novel association between BC and prior IC/BPS 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 Interstitial cystitis ( IC ) is a bladder syndrome of unknown etiology . The cause of IC is most likely multifactorial and includes genetic and environmental factors . Various pathophysiological changes in the bladder , pelvis , and peripheral and central nervous systems have been identified , and this has led to the emergence of biologically specific treatment modalities . Interstitial cystitis is being diagnosed with increasing frequency ; however , current diagnostic criteria are non-uniform , and there is significant overlap between chronic pelvic pain syndromes in men and women , interstitial cystitis , recurrent " cystitis , " and the overactive bladder syndrome . The diagnosis of interstitial cystitis can be made clinical ly and by cystoscopy and hydrodistension . The sensitivity and specificity of urinary markers and the potassium sensitivity test have not been prospect ively studied Background : Current medications used in the treatment of interstitial cystitis ( IC ) have limited efficacy . This prospect i ve study investigated the efficacy of multiple intravesical instillations of resiniferatoxin ( RTX ) at the concentration of 10 nM. Methods : Patients with proven IC previously treated with traditional medications for more than 6 months without clinical benefit were enrolled . They were excluded if bladder outlet obstruction or urinary tract infection was present .  Intravesical instillation of low-dose RTX ( 10 nM ) once weekly for 4 weeks was performed at the outpatient department . International Prostate Symptom Score ( IPSS ) , 5-Point Pain Scale , and Quality of Life Index ( QOL Index ) were recorded . A videourodynamic study was done at baseline and 3 months after treatment . Results : The therapeutic results and urodynamic parameters were compared between baseline and 3 months . Thirteen patients , including 10 women and 3 men , were enrolled in this study . The mean duration of IC  symptoms was 4.4 ± 2.5 years . The mean duration of active treatment was 15.3 ± 8.6 months . One female patient dropped out due to severe bladder pain after RTX instillation . Among the 12 patients who completed the study treatment , subjective assessment revealed that 2 had an excellent therapeutic result , 5 had an improved result and 5 remained unchanged from baseline . The overall satisfactory rate was 58.3 % . IPSS , 5-Point Pain Scale , and QOL Index were significantly decreased after RTX treatment . There was no significant increase in mean functional bladder capacity or change in urodynamic parameters . No serious adverse event occurred after RTX treatment . Conclusions : This study suggests that multiple intravesical instillations of RTX at the concentration of 10 nM are effective in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with refractory IC . The treatment is tolerable and suitable for use on an outpatient clinic basis 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 Objective : To determine the safety and tolerability of intravesical resiniferatoxin ( RTX ) in interstitial cystitis ( IC ) patients . Material s and Methods : IC patients were instilled with 50 cc of test solution containing either placebo , 0.05 μM or 0.10 μM RTX in the bladder . Plasma concentration of RTX and its degradant resiniferonol 9- , 13- , 14-orthophenylacetate was measured . Immediate post-treatment blood sampling and cystoscopy were performed . Symptoms were evaluated before treatment , at 4- and at 12-week follow-ups , using VAS indicator for pain , voiding diary , and O’Leary ’s IC symptom/problem indices . Results : Among 22 patients observed ( ten in 0.10 μM RTX , eight in 0.05 μM RTX , and four in placebo groups ) , the most commonly reported adverse event was pain during instillation ( 80.0 % , 87.5 % , and 25.0 % ) . No serious adverse events were reported . Conclusions : Use of intravesical RTX in IC patients is associated with important tolerability issues but safe at 0.10 μM and 0.05 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 Objective : Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) and recurrent urinary tract infections ( UTI ) are clinical ly challenging conditions to manage in patients . We evaluate the clinical use of intravesical sodium hyaluronate ( Cystistat ® ) in both these patient groups who have completed treatment . Patients and Methods : Thirteen patients with recurrent UTIs ( Group I ) and 8 patients with PBS/IC ( Group II ) received intravesical sodium hyaluronate ( Cystistat ® ) . Preinstallation demographic parameters were statically comparable in both groups . The mean age of presentation was 54.6 years in Group I and 57.5 years in Group II ( p = 0.9 ) . All 13 patients in Group I were on low dose antibiotics . The mean number of installations completed in both groups was 9 ( range 4–21 ) . Results : Data was collected prospect ively using a st and ard pre- and post-treatment question er with the pelvic pain and urinary/frequency patient symptom scale . At a mean follow-up of 21 months a significant improvement in bladder pain ( p = 0.05 ) , daytime frequency ( p = 0.03 ) and quality of life ( p = 0.02 ) was noted in patients in Group I. Two patients had breakthrough UTIs during treatment . Within Group I , 7 ( 53 % ) patients responded well to treatment . Patients in Group II had a significant improvement in bladder pain ( p = 0.02 ) , urgency ( p = 0.01 ) , nocturia ( p = 0.01 ) and quality of life ( p = 0.04 ) . Within Group II , 6 patients ( 75 % ) responded to treatment . Conclusion : Intravesical sodium hyaluronate ( Cystistat ® ) can be used with minimal side effects and good compliance in both groups of patients with PBS and recurrent UTIs . Longer follow-up and larger patient numbers in both groups will be required to confirm the long-term efficacy of these two clinical ly challenging groups of patients 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 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 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
HMW-HA was significantly superior in cost effectiveness and cost efficacy to all other instillation regimes .
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( BPS/IC ) is a chronic disease characterised by persistent irritating micturition symptoms and pain .
The objective was to compare the clinical efficacy of currently available products for intravesical therapy of BPS/IC and to assess their pharmacoeconomic impact .