The effect of intravesical cocktail therapy combined with low-dose amitriptyline on primary bladder pain syndrome

We compared the effectiveness of intravesical combination treatment and intravesical treatment plus low-dose amitriptyline in patients with primary bladder pain syndrome (PBPS).

A total of 53 patients were included in the study. Demographic data, voiding frequency, nocturia, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, validated O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom Index (ICSI), and IC Problem Index (ICPI) scores and scores on the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire were collected from the patients at the beginning of the treatment, and at the 6th week and 6th month of the treatment. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received intravesical treatment for 6 weeks. Group 2 received intravesical treatment plus amitriptyline at a dosage of 10 mg/day.

The frequencies of voiding and VAS scores were significantly improved in groups 1 and 2 at the 6th week compared with pretreatment (in group 1 p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and in group 2 p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). The median ICSI and ICPI scores also significantly decreased in groups 1 and 2 (in group 1 p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and in group 2 p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). Scores on the dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire were significantly improved in both groups. There was no significant change in terms of VAS, nocturia, ICSI or ICPI scores when comparing the 6th week and 6th month results in groups 1 and 2 (all p > 0.05). Only role functioning/emotional achieved a significant improvement in group 2 (p = 0.007).

Intravesical combination therapies are effective in PBPS treatment. Adding low-dose amitriptyline to intravesical therapy in patients with PBPS improves emotional status.