OBJECTIVES: To assess the natural history of interstitial cystitis in the presence of sulfated polysaccharide treatment. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study of 274 patients. Questionnaires were administered at first visit to obtain information on demographic characteristics, medical history, other risk factors, and type and severity of symptoms. Follow-up questionnaires were administered at subsequent visits to measure symptom progress. Patient status over time was measured for three symptoms: pain, urgency, and nocturia. Changes in symptom and severity were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months on treatment. Comparisons of symptom change from baseline to 6 and 12 months were assessed for different characteristics among patients with the most severe symptoms. RESULTS: After 1 year of treatment, a decrease of two or more points in symptom score was observed for 33.5% of all patients for pain and 35.4% for urgency. Among patients with the most severe symptoms, a decrease of two or more points was observed in more than 54% for pain and urgency; 55.7% experienced remission to the moderate and mild level (49.2% and 6.5%, respectively). There was no appreciable decrease in nocturia at any severity level. With the exception of feeling heavy and experiencing dull pain at baseline, patients who did not report a specific type of pain improved more than those who did. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that treatment with sulfated polysaccharides can help alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from the most severe stages of interstitial cystitis.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the natural history of interstitial cystitis in the presence of sulfated polysaccharide treatment. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study of 274 patients. Questionnaires were administered at first visit to obtain information on demographic characteristics, medical history, other risk factors, and type and severity of symptoms. Follow-up questionnaires were administered at subsequent visits to measure symptom progress. Patient status over time was measured for three symptoms: pain, urgency, and nocturia. Changes in symptom and severity were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months on treatment. Comparisons of symptom change from baseline to 6 and 12 months were assessed for different characteristics among patients with the most severe symptoms. RESULTS: After 1 year of treatment, a decrease of two or more points in symptom score was observed for 33.5% of all patients for pain and 35.4% for urgency. Among patients with the most severe symptoms, a decrease of two or more points was observed in more than 54% for pain and urgency; 55.7% experienced remission to the moderate and mild level (49.2% and 6.5%, respectively). There was no appreciable decrease in nocturia at any severity level. With the exception of feeling heavy and experiencing dull pain at baseline, patients who did not report a specific type of pain improved more than those who did. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that treatment with sulfated polysaccharides can help alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from the most severe stages of interstitial cystitis.