ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to examine the long term efficacy of sacral neuromodulation for the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis. Ali patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis who received sacral neuromodulation from 1998 to 2002 were approached for participa-tion in this study. After informed consent was obtained subjects were mailed questionnaires consisting of a global response scale and several questions regarding the average number of voids per day and night. Fifty-six patients were identified and were mailed questionnaires. Twenty-eight patients (50%) responded to the questionnaire packet. The mean length of time of sacral neuromodulation was 4.3 years. The mean void-ing interval for the subjects improved from voiding every 1.22 hours to every 2.57 hours after implantation (p=.001). Nocturia rates improved from 3.43 voids per night to 2.20 voids per night (p<.001). 89% of subjects reported an improvement of symptoms över time. This study indicated that there may be a long term benefit of sacral neuromodulation for the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis.