PURPOSE: To evaluate topical treatment with clobetasol propionate and lidocaine in women with urethral pain syndrome (UPS) in a retrospective pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urethral instillations of two ml clobetasol propionate cream and two ml lidocaine gel in 30 Caucasian women age 15-74 years with UPS between 1999 and 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Instillations were given ap- proximately once a week until the patient improved. Between one and 15 (median three) instillations were given. In substudy I a review was undertaken of the medical records to register the treatment effect at the end of the treatment (the last instillation) and any relapses six months thereafter. Substudy II was a follow-up at least five years after last instillation based on medical records and a written ques- tionnaire. RESULTS: Substudy I (n=30): By the end of the treatment 18 women had no symptoms and 12 were improved. Five patients had relapsed within six months. Substudy II (n=28): Twenty-eight women responded to the questionnaire. Four women remained with no symptoms, 18 remained improved, and six had the same symptoms as before treatment. Twenty women thought the treatment was very effective, five rather effective, and three women reported poor effect. Twenty-six women would ask for retreatment if a relapse oc- curred, two patients would not. No side effects, except transient pain, were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study and long- term follow-up suggests that urethral instillation of clobetasol propionate and lidocaine is effective in treating women with UPS. Randomized control studies are warranted.
PURPOSE: To evaluate topical treatment with clobetasol propionate and lidocaine in women with urethral pain syndrome (UPS) in a retrospective pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urethral instillations of two ml clobetasol propionate cream and two ml lidocaine gel in 30 Caucasian women age 15-74 years with UPS between 1999 and 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Instillations were given ap- proximately once a week until the patient improved. Between one and 15 (median three) instillations were given. In substudy I a review was undertaken of the medical records to register the treatment effect at the end of the treatment (the last instillation) and any relapses six months thereafter. Substudy II was a follow-up at least five years after last instillation based on medical records and a written ques- tionnaire. RESULTS: Substudy I (n=30): By the end of the treatment 18 women had no symptoms and 12 were improved. Five patients had relapsed within six months. Substudy II (n=28): Twenty-eight women responded to the questionnaire. Four women remained with no symptoms, 18 remained improved, and six had the same symptoms as before treatment. Twenty women thought the treatment was very effective, five rather effective, and three women reported poor effect. Twenty-six women would ask for retreatment if a relapse oc- curred, two patients would not. No side effects, except transient pain, were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study and long- term follow-up suggests that urethral instillation of clobetasol propionate and lidocaine is effective in treating women with UPS. Randomized control studies are warranted.