Table 1.

Inclusion-exclusion criteria of the study

Exclusion criteria
Any defined neurological disease affecting pelvic nerves
Heart failure, NYHA class III or IV
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, GOLD 3 or 4
Defined urologic malignancy or any cancer with a urinary metastasis
Liver enzymes higher than upper limit
Creatinine level ≥1.2 mg/dl
History of tuberculosis
History of endometriosis
History of radiotherapy including pelvis
Untreated UTI, STD or urinary stone
Urethral diverticulum
Positive pregnancy test
Breastfeeding
Suspicious DRE or PSA ≥2.5 ng/ml
Prior intravesical GAG replacement therapy such as HA, CS, heparin or PPS
Inclusion criteria
Persistent pelvic pain related to the bladder
Pain worsening with bladder filling
At least one OAB symptom: frequency, urgency, urgency incontinence, nocturia
Duration of symptoms longer than 6 weeks
Not benefited from conservative approaches or prior drugs

NYHA – New York Heart Association; GOLD – Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; UTI – urinary tract infection; STD – sexually transmitted disease; DRE – digital rectal examination; PSA – prostate-specific antigen; GAG – glycosaminoglycan; HA – hyaluronic acid; CS – chondroitin sulfate; PPS – pentosan polysulfate; OAB – overactive bladder