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Clinical Trial
. 2003 Sep;170(3):807-9.
doi: 10.1097/01.ju.0000081163.46167.82.

Comparative assessment of maximal bladder capacity, 0.9% NaCl versus 0.2 M Kcl, for the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis: a prospective controlled study

Lukas K Daha  1 , Claus R Riedl, Gero Hohlbrugger, Marlies Knoll, Paul F Engelhardt, Heinz Pflüger
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Comparative assessment of maximal bladder capacity, 0.9% NaCl versus 0.2 M Kcl, for the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis: a prospective controlled study

Lukas K Daha et al. J Urol. 2003 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: Increased urothelial permeability has been proposed as a cause of interstitial cystitis (IC). The potassium sensitivity test assesses bladder discomfort after instillation of 0.4 M KCl for identification of increased urothelial permeability. Since exposure to 0.4 M KCl may be extremely painful for patients with IC we investigated a less traumatic alternative.

Materials and methods: The study comprised 38 controls and 40 patients with IC. In all subjects cystometry was performed with 0.9% NaCl followed by 0.2 M KCl, and filling volume at first urge and maximum bladder capacity (Cmax) were assessed for both solutions.

Results: Controls did not show a significant change in Cmax. KCl decreased Cmax in 37 of 40 (92%) patients with IC with a mean decrease of 30%. The examination was painless in all controls and in 33 of 40 (82%) patients with IC, and was moderately painful in 7.

Conclusions: For demonstration of increased potassium sensitivity and diagnosis of IC, comparative assessment of Cmax is a well tolerated alternative to the 0.4 M potassium sensitivity test. Statistical evaluation of these results suggests that a decrease in Cmax greater than 30% is indicative of IC.

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