Efficacy of Interstitial Cystitis Treatments: A Review

Efficacy of percutaneous and transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation on idiopathic overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous and transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS and TTNS) showed a promising effect on overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. We aimed to give a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of these therapeutic methods as well.

METHODS

We searched studies available on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest on March 31, 2021, to find both published and unpublished studies. The retrieved articles were screened by two independent researchers and then the selected studies were critically appraised by Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, and Joanna Briggs Institute's checklist for quasi-experimental studies. Finally, the results of studies were synthesized using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4 statistical software when the data were homogenous. The meta-analysis was performed by calculating the effect size (mean difference) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Of the total 3194 publications, 68 studies were included in our qualitative evaluation and 9 studies (11 trials) in the quantitative stage. When TTNS or PTNS were compared to sham, placebo, no treatment, or conservative management, a decrease in frequency of urination was observed in both TTNS (mean difference [MD]: -3.18, 95% CI: -4.42 to -1.94, and p < 0.00001), and PTNS (MD: -2.84, 95% CI: -4.22 to -1.45, and p < 0.00001), and overall TTNS or PTNS (MD: -2.95, 95% CI: -4.01 to -1.88, and p < 0.00001). Significant improvements in mean voiding volume (MVV) and decreasing nocturia were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Nerve stimulations either PTNS or TTNS appear to be effective interventions in treating refractory idiopathic OAB in terms of daily voiding frequency, MVV, urgency episodes, and nighttime voiding frequency. However, our result did not show any improvement in terms of urinary incontinence, postvoid residual volume or urge incontinence, and maximum cystometric capacity which emphasized the efficacy of these modalities on dry-OAB rather than wet-OAB.

Intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: long-term treatment results

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Reconstruction of the glycosaminoglycan layer plays a role in the successful treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). Intravesical instillations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) have given results in the short term. We hypothesise that these benefits continue in the longer term.

METHODS

With the aim of evaluating this therapy over a longer period we treated 12 BPS/IC patients refractory to other treatments with a combination of HA 1.6 % and CS 2.0 % over a period of 3 years assessing symptoms and quality of life using a visual analogue scale, 3-day voiding diaries and validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Improvements in bladder function were sustained for 3 years (mean number of daily voids decreased from 17.8 at baseline to 15.5 at 9 months and 11.9 at 3 years, and mean volume per void from 136.8 ml at baseline to 143.9 ml at 9 months and 180.9 ml at 3 years). Quality of life assessments confirmed these improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical instillations of HA and CS produced a sustained improvement of the symptomatology, up to 3 years, in patients with BPS/IC refractory to previous treatments. Further confirmation would be expected from larger controlled trials.

The effects of intravesical pentosanpolysulfate treatment on the symptoms of patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: preliminary results

The objective of the study was to determine whether intravesical pentosanpolysulfate (PPS) reduces symptoms associated with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). In a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study, 29 female patients with BPS/IC received 300 mg PPS intravesically twice a week for 10 weeks and thereafter a voluntary maintenance therapy once a month. Treatment response was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for quality of life and O'Leary-Sant Symptom and Problem Index (OSPI). Patients were tested before treatment, after 5 weeks of treatment, and 1 week, 3, 6, and 12 months after termination of the initial treatment. Twenty-five patients underwent the 10-week treatment and the 3-month follow-up. Mean reduction of VAS/OSPI was from 8.8/26.4 before to 4/15.3 after treatment, 3.8/15.2 after 3 months, 3.8/14 after 6 months, and 3.4/12.1 after 12 months. In 21 patients, renewed instillation or maintenance therapy was necessary. Intravesical treatment with PPS reduces both the VAS and the OSPI in patients with BPS/IC.

Hyaluronan treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intravesical hyaluronan therapy in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). One hundred twenty-six patients with IC/PBS and an average disease duration of 6.1 years were treated with weekly instillations of a 50-cm3 phosphate-buffered saline solution containing 40 mg sodium hyaluronate. To be eligible for hyaluronan treatment, a positive modified potassium test was requested as a sign of a urine-tissue barrier disorder. Data were obtained by a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire rating from 0 to 10 that asked for global bladder symptoms before and after therapy. Additional questions evaluated the therapeutic impact on quality of life. A positive and durable impact of hyaluronan therapy on IC/PBS symptoms was observed--103 (85%) of the patients reported symptom improvement (> or =2 VAS units). The mean initial VAS score of 8.5 decreased to 3.5 after therapy (p < 0.0001). Out of 121 patients, 67 (55%) remained with no or minimal bladder symptoms after therapy (VAS 0-2). The majority (101, 84%) reported significant improvement of their quality of life. Intravesical therapy had to be initiated again with good success in 43 patients (34.5%) as symptoms recurred after discontinuation of treatment, while the rest stayed free of symptoms for up to 5 years. In general, hyaluronan therapy was well tolerated and, with the exception of mild irritative symptoms, no adverse reactions were reported for a total of 1,521 instillations. Timely hyaluronan instillation therapy may lead to complete symptom remission or even cure in part of the IC/PBS patients, while some responders need continuous intravesical therapy. The present results suggest that selection of patients for hyaluronan therapy by potassium testing improves the outcome of intravesical therapy with a response rate of >80%.