Natural history of interstitial cystitis in 274 patients receiving sulfated polysaccharide therapy

To assess the natural history of interstitial cystitis in the presence of sulfated polysaccharide treatment.

This was a longitudinal study of 274 patients. Questionnaires were administered at first visit to obtain information on demographic characteristics, medical history, other risk factors, and type and severity of symptoms. Follow-up questionnaires were administered at subsequent visits to measure symptom progress. Patient status over time was measured for three symptoms: pain, urgency, and nocturia. Changes in symptom and severity were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 months on treatment. Comparisons of symptom change from baseline to 6 and 12 months were assessed for different characteristics among patients with the most severe symptoms.

After 1 year of treatment, a decrease of two or more points in symptom score was observed for 33.5% of all patients for pain and 35.4% for urgency. Among patients with the most severe symptoms, a decrease of two or more points was observed in more than 54% for pain and urgency; 55.7% experienced remission to the moderate and mild level (49.2% and 6.5%, respectively). There was no appreciable decrease in nocturia at any severity level. With the exception of feeling heavy and experiencing dull pain at baseline, patients who did not report a specific type of pain improved more than those who did.

The results of this study suggest that treatment with sulfated polysaccharides can help alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from the most severe stages of interstitial cystitis.