Real world use of oral treatments in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome in the UK: Outcome of a cross sectional study. Issue 1 (29th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garba, Kamaluddeen; Avery, Miriam; Yusuh, Muhammadbukhoree; Abdelwahab, Omar; Harris, Scott; Birch, Brian R.; Lwaleed, Bashir A.
• Is Part Of: Neurourology and urodynamics. Volume 41:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 416
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2021-11-29
• Subjects: amitriptyline -- comorbidity -- interstitial cystitis/pain bladder syndrome -- oral treatments; Urinary organs -- Periodicals; Urodynamics -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.24840
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-2467

Abstract

Abstract: Background: To describe the oral treatments people living with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are using to treat their urologic condition in the UK. Method: A questionnaire hyperlink encompassing current and previous medications taken for IC/BPS with other sociodemographic and diagnostic indices was available to the Bladder Health UK website. Interested and fully consented individuals accessed and completed the survey. Results: A total of 601 accessed the questionnaire of whom 173 participants responded (response rate: 28.7%) with a mean ± SD O'Leary/Sant scores of 20.12 ± 9.38. A sample size of 171 was estimated to be used in the survey. A fifth of the participants were not on any treatment at all. Amitriptyline was the most prevalent medication in use both alone and in combination. A shift in the use of unapproved (for IC/BPS) antidepressant, smooth muscle relaxant, opioids, gabapentenoids, and antibiotics was observed in the sample. There were no significant differences between the mean ( SD ) O'Leary/Sant scores of cohorts currently taking oral medications and those not taking it. More than two‐thirds of the participants had been diagnosed with the disease more than 5 years. Just under a half (47.4%) of participants reported a history of allergy. Conclusion: Our study provides contemporary evidence that the treatments used for managing IC/BPS encompass a broad range of medications both recommended and not recommended by current guidelines. The latter suggests patients are willing to try novel treatments when more conventional ones are ineffective.