ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the diagnosis and treatment interstitial cystitis (IC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical date of 10 cases of IC (all women) were analyzed. Their age ranged from 31 to 63 years, with a mean of 41 years. Their courses ranged from 1.5 to 7 years, with a mean of 3.4 years. The symptom criteria of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) was met for IC and no patients had Hunner's ulcer. Potassium sensitivity tests (PST) were performed in all cases. Eight were positive. The O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) was used as treatment outcome measures. ICSI score was from 9 to 20 (mean, 14 +/- 4) at baseline. All the patients were treated with hydrodistention initially. Efficacy was evaluated at 1 month after hydrodistention. The patients who failed to respond to the treatment and recurrence after the treatment were treated by oral or intravesical therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 10 cases were followed up for 3 to 26 months (mean, 7.8 months) after hydrodistention. Five patients obtained symptom relief. Among them, symptom significantly relieved or disappeared in 2, with the score decreased > 7; symptom partially relieved in 3, with the score decreased > 3. Five cases failed to respond to the treatment. Two cases had recurrence 3 and 6 months after the treatment. The effective rate was 50%. The ICSI score was decreased to 11 +/- 6 at 1 month (t = 4.394, P < 0.05) after the treatment. Those who failed to respond or recurrence after hydrodistention were treated by other methods. Two case were treated with oral Pentosan Polysulfate, effective. Three cases were treated with amitriptylin, 2 effective. Three cases were treated with intravesical Dimethyl sulfoxide plus heparin plus dexamethasone, all effective.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The diagnosis of IC should meet the symptom criteria of the NIDDK. PST has significant high positive rate in IC patient, which can be used not only for diagnosis but also for instruction. There are a lot of strategies in the management of patients with IC. Hydrodistention is the first choice.</p>
