[Treatment of overactive bladder with sodium chondroitin sulphate]

It is not always possible to clearly differentiate the symptoms of overactive bladder and interstitial cystitis. A prospective randomized study was performed to determine whether instillation of sodium chondroitin sulphate for treatment of interstitial cystitis is also effective in treating overactive bladder. The expected benefit of this therapeutic approach in overactive bladder is based on the assumption that the glycosaminoglycan layer may be damaged in overactive bladder as well.

Patients with chronic overactive bladder were randomized to one of two study groups each including 41 patients. Group A was treated with an anticholinergic agent (tolterodine), group B with sodium chondroitin sulphate (Uropol S). The diagnosis was established on the basis of a gynecologic examination and history, urodynamic testing, introital ultrasound, and cystoscopy. Patients were treated for 12 months.

An improvement of symptoms was reported by 15/35 (43 %) of the patients in group A (p = 0.000) as compared with 23/32 (72 %) of the patients in group B. The subjective outcome was corroborated by means of urodynamic testing, number of pads used, voiding frequency, and nycturia (voiding diary). Quality of life increased significantly in both groups in the course of treatment but there was no significant difference between both groups.

The results of the study presented here suggest that restoring the glycosaminoglycan layer also improves or cures the symptoms in patients with overactive bladder. Patients clearly benefit from instillation of sodium chondroitin sulphate. These results must be confirmed in larger studies before a wider use of this therapeutic option can be recommended.