Long-term results of intravesical hyaluronan therapy in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Introduction And Hypothesis: While the short-term efficacy of intravesical hyaluronan for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has been demonstrated, no data exist on the long-term outcome of this therapy.

Methods: Seventy BPS/IC patients treated with intravesical hyaluronan therapy from 2001 to 2003 were asked to rate their present status of bladder symptoms on a visual analog scale.

Results: Forty-eight of 70 patients responded after a mean follow-up of 4.

Effect of intravesical glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy on bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, bladder capacity and potassium sensitivity.

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.

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).

Is there a relation between urinary interleukin-6 levels and symptoms before and after intra-vesical glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy in patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis?

Urinary interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been proposed as a sensitive and specific inflammatory marker in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). We therefore investigated the presence of urinary IL-6 in patients with BPS/IC to find a possible correlation with the symptoms before and after glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy. Urinary IL-6 levels of 25 BPS/IC patients were assessed semi-quantitavely (Milenia Quickline) before and after intra-vesical glycosaminoglycan substitution therapy.

Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclature for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: an ESSIC proposal.

Objectives: Because the term "interstitial cystitis" (IC) has different meanings in different centers and different parts of the world, the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) has worked to create a consensus on definitions, diagnosis, and classification in an attempt to overcome the lack of international agreement on various aspects of IC.

Methods: ESSIC has discussed definitions, diagnostic criteria, and disease classification in four meetings and extended e-mail correspondence.

Results: It was agreed to name the disease bladder pain syndrome (BPS).