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Botulinum Toxin Reduces Pain Symptoms in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Jia-Fong Jhang, Hui-Ling Tseng, Hann-Chorng Kuo, Hualien, Taiwan, Yuh-Chen Kuo, Taipei, Taiwan, Yao-Chou Tsai, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Intravesical Botulinum Toxin A Single Injections Can Reduce Bladder Pain in Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Refractory to Conventional Treatment – A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Proceedings of the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting, May 15-19, 2015, New Orleans, Louisiana. Abstract PD20-02.

Numerous studies have looked at the potential efficacy of botulinum toxin A given via intravesical injection (i.e. delivered directly to the bladder through a catheter) in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). However, the efficacy of the approach hasn’t previously been validated in a placebo controlled study. Now, this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial provides confirmation that a single intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A is safe and effective in patients with IC/BPS. The study included 60 patients with IC/BPS that didn’t respond to conventional treatment. Forty of the patients underwent hydrodistention plus intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A, while the remaining 20 patients were injected with saline solution. Eight weeks after treatment, pain relief was significantly greater in the group of patients who had received botulinum toxin injection. In addition, the botulinum toxin group had a greater increase in bladder capacity and post-void residual urine. The overall success rate was 63% in the botulinum toxin group, versus only 15% in the normal saline group. Moreover, there was no significant difference in prevalence of adverse effects between the two groups. Altogether, these results demonstrate a single injection of botulinum toxin A reduces bladder pain symptoms in patients with IC/BPS, with an acceptable rate of adverse effects.

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