Abstract: Botox for IC

[MastCells]

Urology. 2004 Nov

Botulinum toxin a has antinociceptive effects in treating interstitial cystitis.

Smith CP, Radziszewski P, Borkowski A, Somogyi GT, Boone TB, Chancellor MB.

Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

OBJECTIVES: To present clinical evidence with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) suggesting an antinociceptive role in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). Intriguing evidence in a somatic pain model has suggested that BTX-A injection may have an antinociceptive effect on both acute and chronic (inflammatory) pain. METHODS: Thirteen female patients (6 in the United States and 7 in Poland) with IC according to the criteria of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease were included. Under short general anesthesia or sedation, 100 to 200 U of Dysport (Polish patients) or Botox (U.S. patients) was injected through a cystoscope into 20 to 30 sites submucosally in the trigone and floor of the bladder. Patients were evaluated with the O'Leary-Sant validated IC questionnaire or with voiding charts and a visual analog pain scale 1 month postoperatively and at subsequent 3-month intervals. The Polish patients also underwent pretreatment and post-treatment urodynamic evaluations. RESULTS: Overall, 9 (69%) of 13 patients noted subjective improvement after BTX-A treatment. The Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index mean scores improved by 71% and 69%, respectively (P <0.05). Daytime frequency, nocturia, and pain by visual analog scale decreased by 44%, 45%, and 79%, respectively (P <0.01). The first desire to void and maximal cystometric capacity increased by 58% and 57%, respectively (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that BTX-A has an antinociceptive effect on bladder afferent pathways in patients with IC, producing both symptomatic and functional (ie, urodynamic) improvements.

PMID: 15533466 [PubMed - in process]