Meta- analysis of RCTs showed that only cyclosporine A provided a simultaneous great effect size of SMD on ICSI , pain , and frequency .
Amitriptyline at different dosages showed a great effect size of SMD on pain and urgency or on ICSI and frequency .
The results from the n RCTs showed that the most frequently adopted treatment is oral pentosan polysulfate and that the use of botulinum A toxin intradetrusorial injections in PBS/IC is increasing .
Limited evidence exists for the few treatments for PBS/IC .
The lack of definitive conclusions is due to the great heterogeneity in methodology , symptoms assessment , duration of treatment , and follow-up in both RCTs and n RCTs
CONTEXT Different types of behavioural , dietary , interventional , pharmacologic , and surgical therapies have been used to treat painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) .
Because of the paucity of r and omised placebo-controlled studies on different treatments , an evidence -based management approach has not yet been developed .
OBJECTIVE To critically review and synthesize data from a wide range of current therapeutic approaches to PBS/IC , to quantify the effect size from r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) , and to reach clinical agreement on the efficacy of treatments for PBS/IC .
Two-year efficacy and safety of botulinum a toxin intravesical injections in patients affected by refractory painful bladder syndrome.
INTRODUCTION AND AIM We report the 2-year efficacy and tolerability of intravesical botulinum A toxin ( BoNT/A ) injections in patients with painful bladder syndrome ( PBS ) associated with increased urinary frequency refractory to conventional treatments . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Thirteen women were prospect ively included in the study . The preliminary assessment included voiding diary , urodynamics , urinary tract ultrasound and the visual analog scale ( VAS ) for pain quantification . All patients received multiple injections of 200 U commercially available BoNT/A diluted in 20 ml 0.9 % NaCl , under cystoscopic guidance .  Clinical evaluation , urodynamics , urinary tract ultrasound and VAS were repeated at least two times per year throughout the follow-up . RESULTS A total of 58 injections were administered with a mean of 4.8 + /- 0.8 injections per patient . The mean interval between two consecutive injections was 5.25 + /- 0.75 months . At 1 and 4 mo follow up ten patients reported a subjective improvement . Mean VAS scores , mean daytime and night-time urinary frequency decreased significantly . Nine patients at 1 month and seven at the 4-month check-up complained of dysuria . The three non-responders to the first intravesical treatment session underwent another three months later with satisfactory results . At 1 and 2 years follow up the beneficial effects persisted in all patients . We did not observe any systemic side effects during the observation time . CONCLUSIONS Intravesically injected BoNT/A is effective and safe in the medium-term management of patients with PBS . As the beneficial effect decreased progressively within a few months after treatment , repeat injections of the neurotoxin were needed over time
Meta- analysis of RCTs showed that only cyclosporine A provided a simultaneous great effect size of SMD on ICSI , pain , and frequency .
Amitriptyline at different dosages showed a great effect size of SMD on pain and urgency or on ICSI and frequency .
The results from the n RCTs showed that the most frequently adopted treatment is oral pentosan polysulfate and that the use of botulinum A toxin intradetrusorial injections in PBS/IC is increasing .
Limited evidence exists for the few treatments for PBS/IC .
The lack of definitive conclusions is due to the great heterogeneity in methodology , symptoms assessment , duration of treatment , and follow-up in both RCTs and n RCTs
CONTEXT Different types of behavioural , dietary , interventional , pharmacologic , and surgical therapies have been used to treat painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) .
Because of the paucity of r and omised placebo-controlled studies on different treatments , an evidence -based management approach has not yet been developed .
OBJECTIVE To critically review and synthesize data from a wide range of current therapeutic approaches to PBS/IC , to quantify the effect size from r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) , and to reach clinical agreement on the efficacy of treatments for PBS/IC .