Each year, promising new studies on interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome and chronic pelvic pain syndrome are presented at the annual meeting of the American Urology Association. Here are the IC/BPS research highlights for AUA 2015. The full abstracts can be viewed at: http://www.aua2015.org/

Quitting Smoking Improves Outcome in Urologic Disease

Researchers at the Henry Ford Health System studied the records of 9,014 patients who underwent one of three urologic surgeries. Their results found that current smokers had significantly higher odds for respiratory and kidney complications and increased odds for longer hospital stay and for needing additional procedures. Former smokers, who had quit for atleast a year, faired far better. “This research serves as a wakeup call to many smokers and demonstrates that the sooner you quite, the sooner your risk factors for surgical complications.. decrease” according to Dr. Benjamin Davies (UPITT). Read more!

In a second study, they found that bladder cancer patients greatly reduced their risk of recurring cancer if they refrained from smoking 15 years or more! Read more!

Tanezumab Reduces Pain in Women With IC

Researchers led by J. Curtis Nickel MD in Canada found that Tanezumab, a nerve growth factor inhibitor, reduce the pain of IC in three clinical trials. The found that women with IC were significantly more responsive than men with chronic prostatitis to TMZ! Source: PD20-03

BotoxA in a Hydrogel Slow Release Delivery System

Researchers in Israel used a new method to deliver BotoxA to the bladder, a hydrogel that is placed into the bladder, solidifies and then, over 6 to 8 hours, released BotoxA. A single instillation was performed on 15 severe IC patients. Some side effects were reported including one severe episodeof lympthadenopathy, 3 cases of mild constipation, UTI, flu and one patient who developed depression. Bladder symptoms of frequency, nocturia and urgency decreased up to week six but returned to baseline by week 12. Further research is needed, including a randomized controlled trial. Source: PD20-03

Single Injection Botulinum Toxin A

Researchers in Taiwan onducted the first randomized, double blind placebo controlled study comparing a single Botox A injection to a control of normal saline. Sixty patients participated. The overall success rates were 63% for the Botox Group and just 15% for the saline group. Source: PD20-02

Altered Microbiome in Chronic Pelvic Pain Patients

The NIDDK funded MAPP study conducted both fecal and vaginal flora studies and found that there were consistent differences between IC patients and controls and that when given to mice, they differentially modulated pelvic pain. These may be new biomarkers that could be used for the diagnosis of IC. Source: PD20-09

Pudendal Nerve Stimulation

Researchers compared, contrasted and compared methods for performing pudendal nerve stimulation, concluding that the STAR-approach was standardized and optimal for the placement of leads. Source: PD20-06

Hydrodistention or Fulguration For Hunner’s Lesions

Researchers in Korea compared the fulguration of lesion with a simple hydrodistention for the treatmet of IC/BPS. The results were not suprising with fulguration patients experiencing more pain reduction and lower symptoms. They say that fulguration should remain the choice treatment for Hunner’s lesions. Source: PD20-10

Triamincinolone Therapy Found Effective for Hunner’s lesions

Because fulguration of lesions can cause bladder wall scarring and limit bladder capacity over the long term, finding a less traumatic therapy is important. This study evaluated the effect of triamcinolone injections into ulcers in 29 patients. The results were effective and durable. Source: PD20-11