Amniotic bladder therapy for Interstitial Cystitis Shows Positive outcomes

In a recent study, Raghav Madan and colleagues have discovered a potential breakthrough in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a condition characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and chronic pelvic pain. The study explored the use of amniotic bladder therapy (ABT) to promote urothelial healing in IC/BPS patients, and the findings were published in International Urology and Nephrology.

IC/BPS is a debilitating condition that affects countless individuals, causing significant discomfort and a decreased quality of life. Disruption of the urothelial barrier has been closely linked to IC/BPS, prompting researchers to investigate the potential of amniotic membranes (AM) in facilitating urothelial healing.

Under general anesthesia, ten female IC/BPS patients received intra-detrusor injections of micronized AM (Clarix Flo) diluted in preservative-free sodium chloride solution. The treatment was administered uneventfully in all cases. The patients' symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using various questionnaires and assessments at pre-op, as well as at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-op.

Following the treatment, patients reported significant improvements in voiding symptoms and bladder pain, with the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) decreasing significantly from baseline to 3 months post-treatment (37.4±0.70 to 12.2±2.90, p<0.001).

This improvement was mirrored by enhancements in the patients' overall physical and mental quality of life. Importantly, no adverse events, such as urinary tract infections or acute urinary retention, were observed in relation to the micronized AM injections.

These preliminary outcomes indicate that ABT may hold promise as an innovative treatment option for IC/BPS patients. While the study's findings are promising, further research is necessary to confirm the efficacy of ABT and determine the duration of its effects.

IC/BPS patients and the medical community are hopeful that this breakthrough in treatment could offer much-needed relief for those suffering from the debilitating symptoms of the condition. With further studies and validation, ABT could potentially revolutionize the approach to managing IC/BPS and provide renewed hope for patients seeking long-lasting relief and improved quality of life.

Reference:

Madan, R., Radoiu, C., Liaw, A., Lucas, S., Hamada, A., & Dhar, N. (2023). Early three-month report of amniotic bladder therapy in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. In International Urology and Nephrology (Vol. 55, Issue 8, pp. 1937–1942). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-023-03652-8