Nocturia related to post radiation bladder pain can be improved by hyaluronic acid chondroitin sulfate (ialuril®)

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: After radiotherapy for prostate cancer, up to 50% of patients can have nycturia (De Langhe S et al: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013). Hyaluronic acid chondroitin sulfate (Ialuril®) represents the replacement of the protective lining in bladder known as Glycosaminoglycan, or GAG layer. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of Ialuril® on symptom and bother related to nocturia, in men with bladder pain syndrome (BPS) after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. MATERIAL & METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients (mean age: 67.9) with bladder pain syndrome due to pelvic irradiation for locally advanced prostate cancer (16 treated with radical prostatectomy plus radiotherapy and 7 with radiotherapy alone) were enrolled from May 2012 to October 2013. Patients underwent intravesical administration of Ialuril® weekly for the first month, and on the 6th, 8th and 12th week subsequently. Nocturia was assessed by item 3 (Q3) of the Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (ICSI, the “symptom” nocturia) and the item 2 (Q2) of the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI, the “bother” nocturia). Both questionnaires were self-administered immediately after RT and at the end of treatment with Ialuril (12th weeks) to evaluate the relapse of symptoms. Data were analyzed with Paired samples T test, and subsequently adjusted for age, baseline ICSI-Q3, baseline ICSI Total score and age, ICPI-Q2, ICPI Total score in two separate logistic regression models.