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 .
[Treatment of overactive bladder with sodium chondroitin sulphate].
OBJECTIVE It is not always possible to clearly differentiate the symptoms of overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis . A prospect i ve r and omized study was performed to determine whether instillation of sodium chondroitin sulphate for treatment of interstitial cystitis is also effective in treating overactive bladder . The expected benefit of this therapeutic approach in overactive bladder is based on the assumption that the glycosaminoglycan layer may be damaged in overactive bladder as well . MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with chronic overactive bladder were r and omized to one of two study groups each including 41 patients . Group A was treated with an anticholinergic agent ( tolterodine ) , group B with sodium chondroitin sulphate ( Uropol S ) . The diagnosis was established on the basis of a gynecologic examination and history , urodynamic testing , introital ultrasound , and cystoscopy . Patients were treated for 12 months . RESULTS An improvement of symptoms was reported by 15/35 ( 43 % ) of the patients in group A ( p = 0.000 ) as compared with 23/32 ( 72 % ) of the patients in group B. The subjective outcome was corroborated by means of urodynamic testing , number of pads used , voiding frequency , and nycturia ( voiding diary ) . Quality of life increased significantly in both groups in the course of treatment but there was no significant difference between both groups . CONCLUSION The results of the study presented here suggest that restoring the glycosaminoglycan layer also improves or cures the symptoms in patients with overactive bladder . Patients clearly benefit from instillation of sodium chondroitin sulphate . These results must be confirmed in larger studies before a wider use of this therapeutic option can be recommended
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 .