Efficacy of daily low-dose sildenafil for treating interstitial cystitis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial--treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with low-dose sildenafil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of daily low-dose sildenafil for the treatment of nonulcer interstitial cystitis (IC) in women.


METHODS
Forty-eight women with a clinical diagnosis of IC from 3 medical centers were randomly assigned to treatment with daily low-dose sildenafil (25 mg, n=24) or placebo (n=24) for 3 months. The O'Leary-Sant IC symptom and problem indices, visual analog scale scores, and a micturition diary with the interval of micturition, the frequency of nocturia, and urgency episodes were recorded before treatment, every 2 weeks after the treatment until 3 months. Patient Overall Rating of Improvement in Symptoms was assessed and regarded as effective when the value was above 50%.


RESULTS
The IC symptom and problem indices scores and urodynamic index were significantly improved in sildenafil treatment group as compared with placebo group and baselines at week 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, as well as 3 months after treatment (P<.05). Urodynamic index including first desire to void, strong desire to void, and maximum cystometric capacity was significantly improved in sildenafil treatment group at week 12 and at 3 months after treatment (P<.05). The efficiency of treatment reached 62.5%. However, no significant change of the visual analog scale values was observed between 2 groups except at week 12 in the sildenafil treatment group (P<.05). All adverse events were mild to moderate and transient.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily low-dose sildenafil is an easy, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for IC in women.
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Hongde
H
Chen
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Feng
F
Wang
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Wei
W
Chen
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Xue ting
Xt
Ye
Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Qi
Q
Zhou
Department of Urology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrative Chinese Traditional Medicine and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Feng
F
Shao
Department of Urology, Yongjia County People's Hospital, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Shengjie
S
Dai
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Zhixian
Z
Yu
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Yirong
Y
Zhang
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Chengdi
C
Li
Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Bicheng
B
Chen
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wengzl2014@163.com.
Zhiliang
Z
Weng
D000328:Adult; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate