Background

Patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) commonly face a decline in their quality of life and social functioning upon discontinuation of conventional therapy, which is known for its limited efficacy and the risk of relapse. While the existing evidence is somewhat restricted, acupuncture is being explored as a potential and effective treatment option for IC/BPS.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old woman, diagnosed with refractory IC/BPS, underwent treatment at the Medical Acupuncture Department of Sanming Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital. She reported symptoms of lower urinary system dysfunction, including urgency, frequency, and nocturia, along with chronic pelvic pain, and a persistent feeling of pressure and discomfort lasting over 8 years. The patient's visual analog scale (VAS) score for pelvic pain was 7 points prior to receiving acupuncture treatment. Throughout the day, she had more than 10 urinations, and at night, she urinated about once per hour. The O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis symptom index/interstitial cystitis problem index (ICSI/ICPI) score was 34 points, and the pelvic pain and urgency frequency (PUF) score was 19 points.

Results

The patient's complaints were significantly alleviated after 12 sessions of electroacupuncture treatment at BL32, BL33, BL35, and SP6 over 4 weeks. The patient claimed total relief from pelvic pain, with a VAS score of 0. The patient achieved a PUF score of 4 points and an ICSI/ICPI score of 7 points. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the frequency and urgency of urination. The patient experienced a frequency of 4–5 urinations during the day and 1–2 times at night. Subsequently, the patient's mental state and sleep quality were improved. The patient's symptoms did not change at one-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Electroacupuncture has proven to be an effective management method for IC/BPS, as evidenced by the patient's alleviated lower urinary system symptoms and reduced pelvic pain.

中文翻译：

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电针治疗难治性间质性膀胱炎/膀胱疼痛综合征一年随访病例报告

背景

间质性膀胱炎/膀胱疼痛综合征（IC/BPS）患者在停止常规治疗后通常会面临生活质量和社会功能下降的问题，而众所周知，传统治疗的疗效有限且存在复发风险。虽然现有证据有些有限，但针灸正在被探索作为 IC/BPS 的潜在且有效的治疗选择。

案例展示

一名67岁女性，被诊断为难治性IC/BPS，在三明市中西医结合医院针灸科接受治疗。她报告了下泌尿系统功能障碍的症状，包括尿急、尿频和夜尿，以及慢性盆腔疼痛，以及持续超过 8 年的持续压力和不适感。接受针灸治疗前，患者骨盆疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）为7分。白天她小便10多次，晚上大约每小时小便一次。O'Leary-Sant间质性膀胱炎症状指数/间质性膀胱炎问题指数（ICSI/ICPI）评分为34分，盆腔疼痛和尿急频率（PUF）评分为19分。

结果

经过 4 周 BL32、BL33、BL35 和 SP6 12 次电针治疗后，患者的症状明显减轻。患者声称盆腔疼痛完全缓解，VAS 评分为 0。患者的 PUF 评分为 4 分，ICSI/ICPI 评分为 7 分。此外，排尿的频率和紧迫感也显着减少。患者白天排尿 4-5 次，夜间排尿 1-2 次。随后，患者的精神状态和睡眠质量得到改善。随访一年后，患者的症状没有变化。

结论

电针已被证明是治疗 IC/BPS 的有效方法，患者下泌尿系统症状的缓解和盆腔疼痛的减轻就证明了这一点。