Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PPTNS) in patients with refractory interstitial cystitis.
Patients and methods: One man and 13 women (mean age 58.3 years) with suprapubic or perineal pain were enrolled in a prospective open study, in which they had 10 weekly sessions of PPTNS. Their mean duration of symptoms was 8.3 years. All patients were previously diagnosed as having interstitial cystitis according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria. The response to the treatment were assessed using voiding diary, visual analogue scale diary for a pain index, and the Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), O'Leary/Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) and the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) quality-of-life questionnaire.
Results: Of the 14 patients, 13 completed the 10 weeks of treatment with no complications; 12 continued treatment for a short period after the study. There were no statistically significant changes in pain scores, voiding frequency and volumes, or in the ICPI, ICSI and SF-36 scores. However, there was an improvement in some patients, with one having complete resolution of the pain.
Conclusion: Intermittent PPTNS in patients with refractory interstitial cystitis has no significant clinical effect over 10 weeks of treatment.