Intravesical Instillation of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of intravesical instillation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for treating interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) in 20 female patients. The study found significant improvements in symptoms, with 80% of patients experiencing a reduction in pain by 30% or more, as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). The mean VAS score decreased from 8.8 to 4.4, and both the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) and Problem Index (ICPI) showed significant improvements. The study concluded that PRP instillation was a promising noninvasive treatment option for IC/BPS, with 85% of patients expressing a desire to continue the therapy. Despite the lack of a control arm and a small sample size, the study suggested that PRP could be a promising treatment due to its regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. However, the study acknowledged limitations, including the need for larger, controlled trials to confirm these findings and explore long-term effects. The study also noted that PRP might not be effective as a stand-alone treatment in complex cases involving other systemic disorders.