Treating Painful Bladder Syndrome

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- As of 1997, 183 different types of therapies have been used to treat painful-bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC). These have included dietary, pharmacologic, and behavioral therapies. But how well do they really work?

A new study analyzed data of 1,470 adult patients from 21 randomized trials on treatments for PBS/IC. It revealed pentosan polysulfate, sold under the brand name Elmiron, modestly helped the symptoms of the disease. But there was not enough evidence on other drug treatments.

Researchers say evaluating the effectiveness of the treatments was challenging, partly because most of the trials were short -- a mean duration of 15 weeks.

The authors write, "The appropriate duration and follow-up of interventions used in the management of PBS/IC remains unknown. Given the fluctuation of symptoms and the relapsing nature of PBS/IC, we suggest that follow-up should continue for at least an additional six to 12 months after the intervention period has ended to confirm that any improvement observed was attributable to the intervention itself and not just to a naturally-occurring fluctuation in the course of the illness or regression to the mean."

PBS/IC is characterized by three key symptoms -- pelvic pain, urinary urgency and urinary frequency. The symptoms often overlap with those of other common conditions, so diagnosing PBS/IC is mainly done after excluding other possibilities.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007;167:1922-1929
[email protected]
Copyright © 2007 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
2745 West Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
(407) 740-0789