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Early Three-Month Report of Amniotic Bladder Therapy in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome - Beyond the Abstract

In International Urology and Nephrology, we have recently detailed the outcomes of ten consecutive interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients unresponsive to current therapies that were subsequently managed with intra-detrusor injection of micronized amniotic membrane (termed Amniotic Bladder Therapy). After treatment, voiding symptoms and bladder pain significantly improved from pre-injection up to 3 months which corresponded to a significant improvement in their overall physical and mental quality of life.

The use of Amniotic Bladder Therapy as a novel treatment option for IC/BPS is based on the primary rationale that a better treatment effect might be achieved by adding exogenous components to the bladder that inhibit inflammation, alleviate collagen fiber accumulation, and enhance tissue regeneration in bladder tissues. We hypothesized ABT may ameliorate bladder inflammation and promote urothelial regeneration in IC/BPS patients as the amniotic membrane offers improved wound healing in many other medical practices. Our work is a pilot study and the first trial of such treatment for this condition. Further evaluation including randomized placebo-controlled trials to confirm the usefulness of ABT in patients with IC/BPS is warranted.

Written by: Nivedita Dhar, MD,1 and Codrut Radoiu2

  1. John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
  2. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

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