To examine real-world data regarding intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) therapy after official approval as a treatment for Hunner-type interstitial cystitis (HIC) in Japan.
This single institution, retrospective observational study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the outcomes of 30 patients with refractory HIC who received intravesical DMSO therapy according to the approved standardized regimen: administration of DMSO every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using a 7-graded global response assessment scale, O'Leary and Sant's symptom and problem indices (OSSI/OSPI), the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), an 11-point pain intensity numerical rating scale, quality of life (QOL) score, and frequency volume chart variables. Related complications were also documented.
The response rates at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks were 36.7%, 43.3%, 53.3%, 60.0%, 70.0%, and 70.0%, respectively. Compared with baseline, OSSI/OSPI, pain intensity, urinary frequency, and the QOL score improved significantly from 4 weeks of treatment. The OABSS score and functional bladder capacity also showed a tendency toward moderate improvement, but the difference was not significant. The mean duration of symptom relapse after termination of treatment was 6.4 ± 3.9 months. No patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, although acute bladder irritation during infusion was noted in 21 patients (70%), which disappeared within 3 days.
This study verifies the safety, moderately durable efficacy, and tolerability of the standard intravesical treatment with DMSO for HIC in Japan.
International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association. 2023 Oct 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Yoshiyuki Akiyama, Aya Niimi, Akira Nomiya, Satoru Taguchi, Yuta Yamada, Yusuke Sato, Taketo Kawai, Daisuke Yamada, Haruki Kume, Yukio Homma
Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan., Department of Urology, New Tokyo Hospital, Matsudo, Chiba, Japan., Department of Urology, Kanto Rosai Hospital, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan., Department of Urology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.