Effective Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis and Painful Bladder Syndromes

Studies presented at the 25^th European Association of Urology Annual Congress added to the current evidence that stimulation of the sacral nerve plexus, Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation or Interstim, provides long-term control of refractory Painful Bladder Syndromes (PBS), Interstitial Cystitis (IC).

The study, from a Canadian team, found that symptoms improved in about 75% of patients with refractory PBS/IC who had a device implanted. Thus far, the benefits have been maintained for a mean of 5 years.

“Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis is a disabling chronic condition that does not improve with standard behavioral and medical treatment in approximately 30% to 40% of patients,” according to Jerzy Gajewski, MD, president of the Canadian Urological Association and professor of urology and pharmacology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation or Interstim, which is a minimally invasive procedure, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for managing the frequency-urgency syndrome, urge incontinence, and idiopathic urinary retention. The use in refractory Painful Bladder Syndromes (PBS), Interstitial Cystitis (IC) patients has shown great promises in patients who have failed other therapies.

J. Kyle Mathews, MD

Plano Urogynecology Associates

Plano OBGYN Associates

Tags: Canadian Urological Association, IC, Interstim, interstitial cystitis, Jerzy Gajewski, kyle mathews, neuromodulation, Nova Scotia, painful bladder syndrome, Painful Bladder Syndromes, Plano Urogynecology Associates, sacral nerve, symptoms, urogynecology | Category: Bladder Dysfunction, News & Education, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery & Urogynecology |