The use of cystoscopy and hydrodistention in the management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) varies widely between providers. Current evidence regarding the risks and benefits of hydrodistention, as well as the long term effects of repeated hydrodistention are not well established. We sought to characterize the effects of hydrodistention on IC/BPS symptoms as well as bladder capacity.
We retrospectively queried our institutional records for patients with non-ulcerative IC/BPS who underwent hydrodistention over an 11-year period to obtain demographic and clinical factors at the time of diagnosis and treatment. Symptom relief and bladder capacity changes were assessed, and multivariable models were used to predict response to treatment.
There were 328 patients who underwent hydrodistention during the study period, of whom 36% received the procedure multiple times, and overall median follow-up was 38.6 months. Patients with repeated hydrodistentions were more likely to be female, have more comorbid pain disorders, and have trialed anticholinergic medications and intravesical instillations. No decrease in mean bladder capacity was observed over time (P = 0.40). Significant decreases in symptom scores were observed following the procedure on multiple questionnaires.
Hydrodistention does not decrease bladder capacity even with multiple procedures, and measurably improves symptoms in some patients with IC/BPS. Continuing efforts to better identify those patients most likely to benefit from this procedure are justified.
Neurourology and urodynamics. 2018 Mar 22 [Epub ahead of print]
Peter S Kirk, Yahir Santiago-Lastra, Yongmei Qin, John T Stoffel, J Quentin Clemens, Anne P Cameron
Dow Division of Health Services Research, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan., Department of Urology, University of California, San Diego, Calofornia., Division of Neurourology and Pelvic Reconstruction, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.