Pilot Study of Cystochon® (Cranberry Extract, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Hyaluronic Acid Complex) in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14777/uti.2022.17.2.36

Kwang Taek Kim, Jeong Woo Lee¹, Hyun-Sop Choe²

Department of Urology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, ¹Department of Urology, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, ²Department of Urology, St. Vincentʼs Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether Cystochon^® (cranberry extract, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid complex) effectively improves the symptoms and problems of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients.

Materials and Methods: From December 2021 to May 2022, the medical records of IC/BPS patients who visited St. Vincent’s Hospital, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, or Gachon University Gil Medical Center were collected. For the treatment of IC/BPS, the patients were given pentosan polysulfate (PPS) for 12 weeks, with Cystochon^® then added and maintained for an additional eight weeks. The OʼLeary–Sant symptom and problem index (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index [ICSI], Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index [ICPI]) was used to measure the treatment response.

Results: After 12 weeks of PPS treatment, ICSI and ICPI improved in all patients. After adding Cystochon^® for eight weeks, the ICSI and ICPI indicators improved further. In the ICSI category, significant improvement in symptoms was confirmed in the total ICSI score, particularly in the Q4 (pain-related) questionnaire after adding Cystochon^®. In the ICPI category, significant problem improvement was confirmed in the total ICPI score, particularly in the Q1 (frequent urination) and Q4 (pain-related) questionnaires. Although not statistically significant, the remaining indicators generally tended to improve.

Conclusions: The orally administered combination of cranberry extract, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid (Cystochon^®) may have a clinically positive effect in patients with IC/BPS. Better clinical improvement can be expected when it is added to the PPS treatment, especially in the category of bladder pain.

Keywords: Interstitial cystitis; Bladder pain syndrome; Cranberry; Chondroitin sulfates; Hyaluronic acid