Effectiveness of intravesical ozone in interstitial cystitis by the O'Leary-Sant symptom index.

A prospective clinical, preliminary study was performed in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) who were nonresponders to conventional treatment and received intravesical ozone as a therapeutic alternative.

Sixteen patients received six applications of intravesical ozone at a concentration of 41 μg/mL. We evaluated therapeutic efficacy by the percentage reduction of Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Index scores (ICSI/ICPI-the O'Leary-Sant symptom index), recurrence rate, nonresponse, and side effects in scores collected on admission (pre-treatment), at the end of the therapeutic protocol (post-treatment), and 180 days (follow-up) after the last ozone application.

The mean age of women was 52.9 years (SD: 15.5), and the duration of symptoms was 5.7 years (SD: 7.1). The median ICSI on admission was 17 (IQR: 14.25-19.5) and at follow-up was 0.5 (IQR: 0-2), with a reduction of 97.5% (CI: 85.7-100). The median ICSI/ICPI on admission was 31.5 (IQR: 29-35.2) and at follow-up was 2.0 (IQR: 0-3.75), with a reduction of 92.3% (CI: 88.8-100). The recurrence rate was only 6.25%, and no patients were nonresponders to the treatment.

The application of intravesical ozone was effective in the treatment of patients with IC/BPS who were nonresponders to conventional therapy, showing a progressive and safe effect, at least in the short term.

International urogynecology journal. 2022 Oct 15 [Epub ahead of print]

Maria Verônica Pires, Carlos José de Lima, Henrique Cunha Carvalho, Lívia Helena Moreira, Adriana Barrinha Fernandes

Biomedical Engineering Institute, Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM), Rua Casa do Ator, 275, São Paulo, SP, 04546-001, Brazil. ., Biomedical Engineering Institute, Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM), Rua Casa do Ator, 275, São Paulo, SP, 04546-001, Brazil., Center for Innovation, Technology, and Education (CITÉ), São José dos Campos Technological Park, Estrada Dr. Altino Bondensan, 500, São José dos Campos, SP, 12247-016, Brazil.