Painful bladder syndrome: management and effect on sexual function and quality of life

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of our therapeutical management in patients with painful bladder syndrome (PBS) / interstitial cystitis (IC) on sexual function, quality of life and bladder symptoms using validated tools prospectively. Material and Methods: A prospective case controlled study. The setting is a tertial referral centre. We included 69 patients with PBS/ IC according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) into this study. All patients were managed applying determined therapeutical steps including tetracycline, bladder instillation consisting of heparine, local anaesthetic and natrium-bicarbonate, prednisolon and antihistaminics or instillation with DMSO. Sexual function, quality of life and symptoms were evaluated with validated tools FSFI, King’s Health Questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Pain, nocturia, urinary frequency and urgency were significantly reduced The King’s Health questionnaire showed a significant improvement of all domains but emotions and sleep, and FSFI improved significantly in all domains but orgasm. Conclusion: Patients with PBS/IC undergoing defined therapeutical steps including tetracycline, bladder instillation and anti-inflammatory agents improved significantly regarding sexual function, quality of life and symptoms. Long term follow-up has to prove this management as well as profound research on the unknown aetiology have to been done to determine even more efficient therapeutical regimes.