Efficacy and Safety of Submucosal Intravesical Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Abstract Background Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition predominantly affecting women, characterized by urinary symptoms and pelvic pain. Diagnosis entails exclusion and the presence of symptoms for 6 weeks to 6 months. Various treatments, including intravesical therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, aim to improve bladder function and quality of life by addressing symptom severity and recurrence. Aim of the Work To assess the effectiveness of submucosal intravesical injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of IC/PBS resistant to conventional methods of treatment. Patients and Methods This is a one-arm clinical trial conducted at Ain Shams University hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, from April 1, 2021, to April 1, 2023, involving 30 Egyptian patients aged 30-50 with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Patients undergo preoperative assessments, receive 20 submucosal injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) solution, and are followed up postoperatively. The treatment outcome is evaluated using the Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale at 6 months. Results The study demonstrates significant improvements in multiple parameters post- treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS). Reductions were observed in ICSI, ICPI, OSS, VAS for pain, frequency, nocturia, and FBC after 1, 3, and 6 months compared to baseline, all with p-values < 0.001. Additionally, postoperative complications, notably hematuria and UTI, significantly decreased. The GRA at 6 months showed a 63.3% success rate. Significant differences between improvement and failure groups were noted in multiple parameters, supporting PRP's efficacy in managing IC/PBS resistant to conventional therapies. Conclusion The study demonstrates that submucosal intravesical injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers a promising treatment option for IC/PBS patients resistant to conventional therapies, with a 63.3% success rate and significant symptom improvement, suggesting PRP's potential in urothelial regeneration. Further research is warranted.