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 .
Intravesical hyaluronic acid in the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis.
PURPOSE Based on the assumption that interstitial cystitis results from a defective mucous lining of the bladder epithelium , we investigated the activity of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of this disease . Hyaluronic acid is an important glycosaminoglycan present in all connective tissues , including the glycosaminoglycan layer of the vesical mucosa . It exhibits a variety of pharmacological properties that enhance its appeal for the therapy of interstitial cystitis . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A total of 25 patients with characteristic findings of interstitial cystitis refractory to other medical treatments participated in a trial of intravesical hyaluronic acid at a dose of 40 mg . weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly . Response to therapy was evaluated by symptom score , voiding diaries and visual analog scales . RESULTS An initial 56 % positive ( complete plus partial ) response rate at week 4 increased to 71 % by week 12 and response was maintained until week 20 . Beyond week 24 there was a moderate decrease in the effectiveness of the medication . There was no significant toxicity attributable to hyaluronic acid in the bladder . CONCLUSIONS The response of patients with refractory interstitial cystitis to the intravesical administration of hyaluronic acid was gratifying . In the past many therapies for interstitial cystitis which were initially considered promising failed the test of a controlled study . Such a study to determine the activity of hyaluronic acid in patients with interstitial cystitis is currently under way
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 .