Self-administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for interstitial cystitis

Ten patients with biopsy-proved interstitial cystitis were treated with a program of self-administered dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) using the technique of intermittent self-catheterization. Nine of the 10 patients responded favorably to the treatment and are on a maintenance program. The technique was well tolerated and without complications.     

A controlled study of dimethyl sulfoxide in interstitial cystitis

To evaluate the effectiveness of dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of patients with biopsies suggestive of interstitial cystitis, 33 patients underwent a controlled crossover trial. Patients were allocated randomly to receive 50 per cent dimethyl sulfoxide or placebo (saline). The medication was administered intravesically every 2 weeks for 2 sessions of 4 treatments each. Response was assessed urodynamically and symptomatically. Thirty women and 3 men (mean age 48 years and mean duration of symptoms 5.5 years) were entered into the study. No significant side effects to dimethyl sulfoxide were noted. When assessed subjectively, 53 per cent of dimethyl sulfoxide treated patients were markedly improved compared to 18 per cent of the placebo treated patients. Of the dimethyl sulfoxide group 93 per cent had objective improvement versus 35 per cent of the placebo group. Thus, dimethyl sulfoxide proved to be superior to placebo in the objective and subjective improvement of patients with interstitial cystitis.     

Prospective study of intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of suspected early interstitial cystitis

The efficacy of intravesical instillations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the treatment of suspected early interstitial cystitis was investigated in a prospective study. Among 20 patients treated, complete symptomatic remissions were achieved in 3, partial symptomatic remissions were achieved in 16, and 1 had no symptomatic improvement. However, functional bladder capacities following treatment were increased by more than 25 per cent in only 4 cases. Among 16 patients who experienced symptomatic remissions and who have been followed for > four months, 14 had sustained remissions (mean follow-up eleven months) and 2 had unsustained remissions. Clinically apparent toxicity was minimal but transient elevation of the serum lactic acid dehydrogenase was occasionally observed during treatment. DMSO appears to be useful in the management of carefully selected patients with suspected early interstitial cystitis.     

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin and dimethyl sulfoxide for treatment of classic and nonulcer interstitial cystitis: a prospective, randomized double-blind study

PURPOSE: We conducted a prospective, double-blind study with a crossover design of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and dimethyl sulfoxide to determine whether patients with classic and nonulcer interstitial cystitis, respectively, might benefit from either regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients, including 11 with classic and 10 with nonulcer interstitial cystitis, randomly underwent treatments with intravesical BCG or dimethyl sulfoxide and, if not improved, were treated with the other substance after a washout period. All 21 patients were evaluated with symptom questionnaires, including a visual analog pain scale and voiding diaries. RESULTS: Regardless of regimen, there was no improvement in maximal functional capacity. There was a reduction in urinary frequency following dimethyl sulfoxide treatment but only in the classic subtype (p <0.05), whereas no reduction was seen following BCG in either subtype. A substantial pain decrease was noted in classic (p <0.05) as well as nonulcer (p <0.05) interstitial cystitis following dimethyl sulfoxide. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical BCG has been presented as a promising new option for treatment of interstitial cystitis. We failed to demonstrate benefit from this treatment. Dimethyl sulfoxide had no positive effect on maximal functional capacity but resulted in a significant reduction in pain and urinary frequency, although only in patients with classic interstitial cystitis.     

Measuring the success of combined intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide and triamcinolone for treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis

Introduction and hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to investigate change in bladder capacity as a measure of response to combined intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and triamcinolone instillations for the treatment of newly diagnosed bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

Methods

141 newly diagnosed women were identified retrospectively. 79 were treated with weekly DMSO/triamcinolone instillations. Change in bladder capacity with bladder retrofill, daytime urinary frequency, nocturia episodes per night, and Likert scale symptom scores were reviewed. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Spearman’s rank correlations, COX regression analysis, and a Kaplan-Meier survival curve were performed.

Results

Significant changes (median (25^th-percentile to 75^th-percentile) were noted for bladder capacity (75 mL (25 to 130 mL), p?<?0.0001), inter-void interval (0 hrs (0 to 1 hour), p?<?0.0001), nocturia episodes per night (?1 (?2 to 0), p?<?0.0001), and aggregate Likert symptom scores (?2 points (?5 to 0), p?<?0.0001). Percent change in bladder capacity correlated positively with percent change in inter-void interval (p?=?0.03) and negatively with percent changes in nocturia (p?=?0.17) and symptom scores (p?=?0.01). Women without detrusor overactivity (DO) had greater percent changes in capacity than women with DO (62.5 % vs. 16.5 %, p?=?0.02). 61.3 % of patients were retreated with a 36 weeks median time to retreatment and no difference in time to retreatment based upon DO. Greater capacity was protective against retreatment (hazard ratio?=?0.997 [95 % CI 0.994,0.999], p?=?0.02).

Conclusions

Percent change in bladder capacity is a useful objective measure of response to intravesical DMSO/triamcinolone for newly diagnosed BPS/IC. Clinical outcomes do not differ based upon presence of DO.     

Risk factors that affect the treatment of interstitial cystitis using intravesical therapy with a dimethyl sulfoxide cocktail

Introduction and hypothesis

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) bladder instillation is a standard therapy for interstitial cystitis (IC); however, there are varying degrees of success. We hypothesize that first-line intravesical therapy with a DMSO cocktail will optimize treatment outcome.

Methods

Ninety women with newly diagnosed IC were enrolled consecutively for the treatment. The IC symptom and problem index was used as an outcome measure.

Results

Six (6.7%) patients dropped out of the treatment due to intolerable bladder irritation. Fifty-five (65.5%) of the remaining 84 patients, who completed the treatment, experienced ≧50% symptomatic improvement. After a regression analysis, three clinical variables were found to affect treatment adversely, i.e., the presence of advanced cystoscopic glomerulations, microscopic hematuria, and urodynamic detrusor underactivity, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results suggest bladder instillation with a DMSO cocktail may well be considered as first-line therapy for IC patients. However, there exists a subgroup of nonresponders who may have severe disease.     

Long-term outcomes of intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide/heparin/hydrocortisone therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Introduction and hypothesis

For decades, intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cocktail therapy has been used for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), but little is known about its long-term efficacy. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy of intravesical DMSO/heparin/hydrocortisone/bupivacaine therapy in patients with IC/BPS.

Methods

Patients with IC/BPS from our institutions who underwent this therapy with >2 years follow-up were surveyed with O’Leary–Sant interstitial cystitis symptom and problem index questionnaires before and after therapy. Chart reviews and telephone surveys were then conducted to determine their posttherapy course.

Results

Of 68 eligible women, 55 (80.0%) with a median follow-up of 60 months (range 24–142) were surveyed. Their mean age at therapy onset was 44.8 years and their mean body mass index was 26.2 kg/m². There were statistically significant improvements in O’Leary–Sant and pain scores of 23–47% at both 6 weeks and the end of the follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period, 19 of the 55 women (34.5%) were cured (requiring no further treatment) and 12 (21.8%) were significantly improved (requiring only ongoing oral medication). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that DMSO treatment failure was more likely in patients with pretreatment day-time urinary frequency more than 15 episodes per day (OR 1.41), nocturia more than two episodes per night (OR 2.47), maximum bladder diary voided volume <200 ml (OR 1.39) and bladder capacity under anaesthesia <500 ml (OR 1.6).

Conclusions

At a median follow-up of 60 months, intravesical DMSO cocktail therapy appeared moderately effective for the treatment of IC/BPS. Treatment failure was more frequent in patients with pretreatment symptoms of reduced bladder capacity.

     

阿米替林与二甲基亚砜治疗间质性膀胱炎的临床研究

目的探讨口服阿米替林及膀胱灌注二甲基亚砜（DMSO）治疗间质性膀胱炎的临床有效性及安全性。方法2004年7月~2008年5月,采用美国国立肾病、消化病和糖尿病研究所（NIDDK）制定的标准诊断间质性膀胱炎19例,口服阿米替林25mg／d。治疗1周效果不佳的患者加服阿米替林至50mg／d,最大不超过75mg／d。对无效或不能耐受阿米替林副作用的患者加用50％DMSO50mL膀胱灌注连续10次（其中2例用50％DMSO50mL＋1万单位低分子肝素钠灌注）,总疗程3个月。观察指标：O’Leary间质性膀胱炎症状指数、间质性膀胱炎问题指数、视觉疼痛模拟量表及排尿日记。结果19例患者均完成治疗,17例患者取得良好的效果,2例患者效果较差。结论口服阿米替林及膀胱灌注DMSO是治疗间质性膀胱炎简单有效的方法,可以缓解患者的临床症状,提高生活质量,其副作用可以被大多数患者耐受。     

间质性膀胱炎诊断及治疗

间质性膀胱炎(interstitial cystitis,IC)是一种临床常见的、慢性的、严重的膀胱壁炎症.表现为尿频、尿急和严重的下腹或会阴区疼痛.临床诊治困难.该病好发于中年,女性多于男性.对IC的认识已经历100年历史,但人们对该病的定义、病因、病理乃至流行病学等研究迄今仍尚不明了.目前主要有以下几种学说:感染因素,黏膜上皮通透性改变,肥大细胞浸润,神经源性机制和自身免疫学说等.     

Japanese guideline for diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease of the urinary bladder with lower urinary tract symptoms such as urinary frequency, bladder hypersensitivity and/or bladder pain and resultant serious impairment of quality of life. In Japan, assuming that IC is very rare, research activity and medical care of IC have been sparse until 2001, when the Society of Interstitial Cystitis of Japan (SICJ) and a patient support group were founded. ^1,2 Subsequently the International Consultation on Interstitial Cystitis Japan (ICICJ) was held in Kyoto in 2003. ³ On the other hand, the etiology of IC has not been well clarified, which complicates its diagnosis and treatment at clinical settings. We have thus developed the Japanese Clinical Guideline, ⁴ which is targeted at healthcare professionals including specialists in urology and women's health care who may engage in the diagnosis and treatment of IC. This article is the English translation of a shortened version of the Guideline for convenience of readers worldwide.     

Long-term results of amitriptyline treatment for interstitial cystitis

Purpose:

We performed a prospective, open label study to examine the safety and efficacy of the long-term administration of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 94 patients were stratified into 2 groups, namely a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) group of those who fulfilled NIDDK criteria for IC and a nonNIDDK group of those who presented with characteristic IC symptoms but met at least 1 NIDDK exclusion criterion. Amitriptyline was received strictly at bedtime following an established self-titration protocol without a limitation of the maximum daily dose. Patients reporting improvement in a global response assessment questionnaire were considered treatment responders. Further efficacy measures were changes in pain and urgency, functional bladder capacity and frequency. Changes in the O′Leary-Sant IC index and rating of overall satisfaction with the therapeutic outcome were also reported.

Results:

Mean study followup ± SD was 19.0 ± 12.5 months. The response rate was 64% (60 patients). The overall mean dose was 55 mg (range 12.5 to 150). Side effects occurred in 79 patients (84%), including dry mouth in 79% and weight gain in 59%. Patient overall satisfaction with the therapeutic result was excellent or good in 43 (46%). The dropout rate was 31% (29 patients) after a mean treatment period of 6 weeks at a mean dose of 70 mg. Nonresponse to treatment was the primary reason for dropout in all cases, while side effects contributed to dropout in 25 (86%). Improvement in the various IC symptoms was statistically significant compared with baseline.

Conclusions:

Long-term administration of amitriptyline is a feasible, safe and effective treatment for IC, provided that the drug is used judiciously to minimize adverse effects. The therapeutic response to amitriptyline was uniformly observed in patients fulfilling NIDDK criteria and in those with the pure clinical diagnosis of IC.     

肝素膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎

目的　观察肝素膀胱灌注治疗间质性膀胱炎的疗效。　方法　 17例间质性膀胱炎患者 ,均为女性。平均年龄 35岁。平均病程 2 7个月。临床表现主要为尿频及膀胱区疼痛。膀胱镜检见黏膜下点状出血 15例 ,Hunner溃疡 2例。按O’Leary Sant间质性膀胱炎症状评分 (ICSI) 8～ 18分 ,平均 (13.4± 3.5 )分 ;问题评分 (ICPI) 3～ 12分 ,平均 (8.2± 3.4 )分。所有患者均使用肝素钠 10 5U膀胱灌注 ,每周 3次 ,疗程 4周。观察治疗后患者症状改善情况。　结果　 17例患者随访 3～ 12个月 ,平均 6个月 ,症状缓解 14例 ,其中症状显著缓解或消失 9例 ,评分下降 7分 ;症状部分缓解 5例 ,评分下降 >3分 ;无效 3例。 2例于治疗 7个月及 9个月症状复发。有效率 82 %。治疗后 1、2个月ICSI分别降至 (6 .1± 3.4 )、(6 .3± 3.5 )分 ,ICPI分别降至 (3.5± 2 .9)、(3.6± 2 .7)分 ,治疗前后比较差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1)。治疗期间发生一过性尿道灼痛者 2例 ,轻微肉眼血尿 1例。　结论　肝素膀胱灌注治疗可有效缓解间质性膀胱炎患者症状 ,提高生活质量。     

Colocystoplasty for the treatment of severe interstitial cystitis

Twelve patients with end-stage interstitial cystitis and intractable symptoms resistant to conservative measures underwent supratrigonal cystectomy and colocystoplasty, comprising 7 right colocystoplasties and 5 open-loop sigmoidocystoplasties. Mean follow-up was 4.7 years. Ten patients had complete relief of pain and a decrease in frequency, while 2 patients required cystectomy and urinary diversion because of persistent symptoms or infection and incontinence. Bladder function was evaluated urodynamically in 11 patients. The bladder capacities in the right colocystoplasties were between 325 and 800 ml (mean 495), compared with 180 and 500 ml (mean 345) in the sigmoideocystoplasties. Two patients suffered from mild urge incontinence. All the patients retained their sensation of bladder fullness and voided without difficulty. In only 3 cases was a procedure needed to lower the bladder outflow tract resistance. Most patients did not need long-term antibiotics. No impairment in renal function was noted. In view of the good results achieved colocystoplasty can be recommended more often for the treatment of interstitial cystitis, detubularized right colocystoplasty being the operation of choice.     

Intestinocystoplasty in treatment of interstitial cystitis

Nine cases of interstitial cystitis treated by intestinocystoplasty are reviewed. The longest follow-up is seventy-eight months. Two patients have since died of unrelated causes. The results reveal seven symptomatic cures and two failures. Long-term renal and vesical function have been well maintained.     

Efficacy of oral doxepin and piroxicam treatment for interstitial cystitis

OBJECTIVE: To establish the efficacy of a multidrug oral treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant agent doxepin and the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor piroxicam in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC), who had failed standard therapy in an open, prospective, nonrandomized study. METHODS: A total of 37 patients diagnosed with IC received 75 mg doxepin and 40 mg piroxicam daily. The treatment was termed DOXCAM. Effectiveness of therapy was assessed with frequency-volume charts, an IC symptom score and with cystometry prior to treatment, 8 weeks after the start and 4 weeks after termination of drug treatment. RESULTS: Medication was not tolerated by five patients. Twenty-six of 32 patients have experienced virtual total remission of symptoms (81%) and six patients had significant relief (19%). DOXCAM treatment resulted in a significant percent decrease in pain (65% versus 21%). Daytime frequency decreased from 17.6+/-5.7 to 11.3+/-3.6 voids while nocturia did not improve significantly. Twenty-three of the 26 patients who became symptom free and four of the six patients who showed significant improvement had a return of symptoms after cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable to consider oral treatment with DOXCAM in those patients who have failed first-line therapies.