Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intravesical pentosanpolysulphate (PPS) compared with placebo in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC).
Patients and methods: Twenty patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for IC participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study; 10 received intravesical PPS (300 mg in 50 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride) applied twice a week for 3 months and the other 10 received a placebo. Symptomatic relief and objective variables (bladder capacity voiding volumes and urinary frequency) were assessed after 3 months and the long-term outcome of those continuing treatment was determined.
Results: Of the patients treated with PPS, four gained significant symptomatic relief compared with only two receiving placebo. Only the urodynamic bladder capacity showed a statistically significant increase in patients treated with PPS (P = 0.047). At 18 months from the start of the study, the symptoms were relieved in eight patients while still receiving PPS instillations and in four without treatment.
Conclusions: These results suggest that intravesical PPS is an effective option for the treatment of IC and shows that the intravesical application of PPS is a safe treatment with no important side-effects.