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 .
Analysis of long-term Elmiron therapy for interstitial cystitis.
OBJECTIVES The long-term efficacy and safety of Elmiron ( oral pentosan polysulfate sodium ) in relieving recurring symptoms of interstitial cystitis ( IC ) were investigated in a long-term , open-label physician 's usage study . METHODS Patients with diagnosed interstitial cystitis who met the study entry criteria received shipments of Elmiron  for 3 months at a dose of 100 mg 3 times a day and for the consecutive 3-month periods , provided they completed and returned question naires about their disease symptoms , reported any adverse events , and had laboratory data collected before each new shipment . Patients were required to purchase the medication . Responses to question naires provided the data reported here . Several symptomatic parameters of the disease ( overall improvement , overall improvement in pain and urgency , urinary frequency , and nocturia ) were recorded in this way and used to evaluate efficacy . RESULTS Elmiron usage was correlated with improvements in some symptoms , and these improvements increased with duration of treatment . Some symptoms were improved within 5 months , although most continued to show improvements in both severity rating and in percentage of positive responders over 1 to 2 years . Population s of patients receiving extended treatment , some for > 90 months , showed no further improvement or worsening in symptom values . Forty-six percent of patients dropped out of the study within the first 3 months of Elmiron treatment . The frequency of adverse events was < 4 % . The most notable adverse events were reversible alopecia , diarrhea , nausea , headache , and rash . CONCLUSIONS Elmiron appears to be an efficacious long-term treatment for reducing a constellation of debilitating symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis in some patients . Patients with a positive response to Elmiron appear to maintain this response 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 .