RESULTS The instruments most frequently used were single-item VAS and Biberoglu and Behrman pain score , while multidimensional inventories were used in few studies .
The results of clinical studies in CPP are more frequently based on one-dimensional measurements .
RATIONALE Many types of  pain assessment are available to research ers carrying out clinical trials in chronic pelvic pain ( CPP ) , ranging from a single-item scale to multidimensional inventories .
AIM Our objective was to investigate which assessment s of pain are more commonly used in clinical trials on CPP .
Safety and efficacy of the use of intravesical and oral pentosan polysulfate sodium for interstitial cystitis: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.
PURPOSE We examined the safety and the efficacy of a combination of intravesical and oral pentosan polysulfate sodium in comparison to only oral pentosan polysulfate sodium in treating interstitial cystitis . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A total of 41 females diagnosed with interstitial cystitis were r and omized to receive a combination of intravesical pentosan polysulfate sodium plus oral pentosan polysulfate sodium ( 21 in treatment group ) or intravesical placebo plus oral pentosan polysulfate sodium ( 20 in placebo group ) for 6 weeks . All subjects continued to receive oral pentosan polysulfate sodium for another 12 weeks . The primary outcome was the change in the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms/Problem Index from baseline to week 6 , 12 , and 18 . Other outcomes included : the changes in Pelvic Pain and Urgency Frequency question naire , Health Related Quality of Life index : SF-36 , pain scale , urgency scale , voiding log , patient global assessment , and sexual function scales . RESULTS The change in the total score of O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms/Problems Index from baseline to week 12 among the treatment group ( median -12 or approximately a 46 % reduction ) was significantly greater compared to the placebo group ( median -5.5 or approximately a 24 % reduction , p = 0.04 ) . At week 18 the treatment group showed statistically significant improvement in all Health Related Quality of Life domains compared to the baseline ( p < or = 0.01 ) , while the placebo group showed significant improvement in only 3 Health Related Quality of Life domains , ( p < or = 0.05 ) compared to the baseline . There were no significant differences within major categories of adverse events between treated and placebo groups . CONCLUSIONS The use of intravesical pentosan polysulfate sodium simultaneously with oral pentosan polysulfate sodium is a safe and effective therapeutic option . These findings will open a new option for patients with interstitial cystitis to reduce their severely devastating symptoms and to improve their quality of life and well-being
RESULTS The instruments most frequently used were single-item VAS and Biberoglu and Behrman pain score , while multidimensional inventories were used in few studies .
The results of clinical studies in CPP are more frequently based on one-dimensional measurements .
RATIONALE Many types of  pain assessment are available to research ers carrying out clinical trials in chronic pelvic pain ( CPP ) , ranging from a single-item scale to multidimensional inventories .
AIM Our objective was to investigate which assessment s of pain are more commonly used in clinical trials on CPP .