title: [Follow-up at 24 months after treatment of overactive bladder with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A retrospective study was performed to investigate whether the improvement of symptoms achieved with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate in treating overactive bladder (OAB) persists after 24 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two years ago, a total of 82 patients with chronic OAB were randomly assigned to receive either anticholinergic treatment (Tolterodin; group A, n = 41) or 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate (Gepan instill; group B, n = 41). Diagnostic assessment included a gynecological examination and history, urodynamic test-ing, introital ultrasound, and cystoscopy. Duration of treatment was 12 months. The patients underwent repeat follow-up after 24 months and the findings were compared with the results at 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group A, 15 / 35 (43 %) women reported an improvement of symptoms after 12 months as opposed to only 5 / 35 (14 %) after 24 months. In group B, there was an improvement in 23 / 32 (72 %) at 12 months and in 18 / 32 (56 %) after 24 months (p = 0.001). The subjective results were corroborated by means of urodynamic test-ing, pad counts, voiding frequency and nycturia (voiding diary).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that instillation treatment with 0.2 % sodium chondroitin sulfate results in a more sustained improvement or cure of the symptoms of overactive bladder due to development of a glycosaminoglycan layer. Long-term results are needed for confirmation.
authors.affiliation: FA f. Frauenheilkunde u. Sexualmedizin, Neues Deutsches Interdisziplinäres Beckenbodenzentrum, Berlin. a.gauruder@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Annett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gauruder-Burmester
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Popken
mesh_terms: D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003408:Cresols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D003408:Cresols; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010665:Phenylpropanolamine; D000068737:Tolterodine Tartrate; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates