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By Shanida Smith, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent
OKLAHOMA CITY (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers across the country are studying a milder form of a tuberculosis bacteria to treat interstitial cystitis.
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In the study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, investigators will insert six installations of the bacteria Bacillus Calmette-Guerin into the bladders of patients with a catheter. Researchers will follow-up after six months. Lynda Kelsey, R.N., research coordinator at the University of Oklahoma, says, "In early studies, BCG was effective in treating interstitial cystitis." In one small pilot study, 60 percent of patients responded well compared to only 27 percent in a placebo group.
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic, painful inflammatory condition of the bladder wall. The condition typically affects young and middle-aged women, though some men have the disorder also. It affects more than 700,000 Americans.
Because the causes of interstitial cystitis are unknown, treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. The FDA approved Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium), the first oral drug developed for interstitial cystitis, in 1996. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma participated in an earlier multicenter trial and found Elmiron combined with hydroxyzine was more effective than either drug alone or no treatment at all.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: Ivanhoe Health Correspondent Shanida Smith's Interview with Lynda Kelsey, R.N., March 12, 2003
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