Intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A for treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: 10 years of experience at a single center in China

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the intravesical injection of Chinese botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Between January 2003 and June 2013, 124 women with IC/BPS were studied. Of these 124 patients, 66 were treated with BTX-A and 58 underwent bladder hydrodistention plus sodium hyaluronate (Cystistat) instillation. Intravesical injection of 100 U of Chinese BTX-A was immediately followed by cystoscopic hydrodistention under intravenous general anesthesia. The patients were evaluated using the O'Leary-Saint score, a visual analog scale pain score, a urinary frequency record and a quality of life questionnaire before treatment and 1 week, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Of the patients who received BTX-A injection, only 2 had acute urinary retention, 23 received a repeat injection, and 20 were lost to follow-up. Of the patients treated with hydrodistention plus Cystistat instillation, 2 had urinary tract infection, 11 switched to BTX-A injection at 6 months, and 23 were lost to follow-up. BTX-A was shown to remain effective for up to 6 months after treatment. After repeated Chinese BTX-A injections, symptoms improved significantly. Hydrodistention plus Cystistat remained effective for up to 3 months after treatment. Intravesical injection of Chinese BTX-A is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with IC/BPS. The average duration of the effect of one dose of Chinese BTX-A amongst the responders was 6 months. Repeated injection of Chinese BTX-A is safe and effective.