HMW-HA was significantly superior in cost effectiveness and cost efficacy to all other instillation regimes .
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( BPS/IC ) is a chronic disease characterised by persistent irritating micturition symptoms and pain .
The objective was to compare the clinical efficacy of currently available products for intravesical therapy of BPS/IC and to assess their pharmacoeconomic impact .
[Follow-up at 24 months after treatment of overactive bladder with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate].
AIM A retrospective study was performed to investigate whether the improvement of symptoms achieved with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate in treating overactive bladder ( OAB ) persists after 24 months . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Two years ago , a total of 82 patients with chronic OAB were r and omly assigned to receive either anticholinergic treatment ( Tolterodin ; group A , n = 41 ) or 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate ( Gepan instill ; group B , n = 41 ) . Diagnostic assessment included a gynecological examination and history , urodynamic test-ing , introital ultrasound , and cystoscopy .  Duration of treatment was 12 months . The patients underwent repeat follow-up after 24 months and the findings were compared with the results at 12 months . RESULTS In group A , 15 / 35 ( 43 % ) women reported an improvement of symptoms after 12 months as opposed to only 5 / 35 ( 14 % ) after 24 months . In group B , there was an improvement in 23 / 32 ( 72 % ) at 12 months and in 18 / 32 ( 56 % ) after 24 months ( p = 0.001 ) . The subjective results were corroborated by means of urodynamic test-ing , pad counts , voiding frequency and nycturia ( voiding diary ) . CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that instillation treatment with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate results in a more sustained improvement or cure of the symptoms of overactive bladder due to development of a glycosaminoglycan layer . Long-term results are needed for confirmation
HMW-HA was significantly superior in cost effectiveness and cost efficacy to all other instillation regimes .
Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( BPS/IC ) is a chronic disease characterised by persistent irritating micturition symptoms and pain .
The objective was to compare the clinical efficacy of currently available products for intravesical therapy of BPS/IC and to assess their pharmacoeconomic impact .