The Efficacy of Micro-Radiofrequency Therapy for Treating Non-Hunner Lesion Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to explore the efficacy of micro-radiofrequency (micro-RF) therapy for treating non-Hunner interstitial cystitis (NHIC).

METHODS

Forty female NHIC patients were enrolled in this retrospective study from December 2021 to December 2023, with 20 receiving intravesical micro-RF therapy and 20 undergoing hydrodistension (HD). The primary evaluation index was the treatment success rate using the Global Response Assessment (GRA) scale. Secondary indexes included changes from baseline in the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) patient symptom scale, and urination parameters. Outcomes were analyzed via t or nonparametric tests.

RESULTS

All 40 patients completed the treatment and follow-up; the treatment success rate of the micro-RF group (70%, 14 out of 20) was slightly higher than that of the HD group (50%, 10 out of 20) at 12 weeks post-treatment, with no significant difference (20%, p = 0.197). The VAS, ICSI, ICPI, PUF, day-time frequency, urgency episodes, and nocturia significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05). Further, the median decline ranges of VAS (-4.0 vs -3.0; p = 0.017; 95% CI -1.45, -0.15) and ICPI (-5.0 vs -4.0; p = 0.011; 95% CI -2.02, -0.283) were significantly larger in the micro-RF group. There were no significant differences in ICSI (-6.5 vs -6.0, p = 0.407), PUF (-10.0 vs. -8.0; p = 0.071), and urgency episodes (-5.5 vs -4.5; p = 0.570).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the short-term overall efficacy of micro-RF therapy was better than hydrodistension, particularly in managing pain, and might be a new alternative treatment option for patients with NHIC.