Abstract:

Objective Primary bladder pain syndrome (PBPS) is characterized with suprapubic pain accompanied by at least one lower urinary tract symptoms including frequent urination, urinary urgency and nocturia for more than 6 weeks. While there are many alternative therapies for the treatment of PBPS, the only approved oral medication is PPS (pentosan polysulfate sodium). As it has been associated with retinal toxicity after its widespread use, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between PPS use and maculopathy. Material and Methods The patients diagnosed with PBPS between 2010 and 2020 who may only benefit from PPS use were included into the study after subgroup and phenotype assessment (urinary and non-ulcerative organspecific subgroups). In our study, patients who had history of degenerative maculopathy or diseases predisposing to maculopathy (age-related macular degeneration, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic vascular disorders, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal dystrophy, epiretinal membrane, and chronic exposure to hydroxychloroquine) were excluded to prevent possible misdirection. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity assessment using Snellen chart, anterior segment and fundus examination using slit lamp biomicroscopy, and intraocular pressure measurement. Color vision test (Ishihara test), posterior segment optical coherence examination and 10-2 visual field test were performed, and color images of the fundus and autofluorescence imaging were obtained. Best-corrected visual acuity, color vision results, macular, choroidal and mean retinal nerve fiber thicknesses, mean deviation of the visual field and fundus findings were recorded. Results Out of 15 patients included into the study, 4 (37.5%) were male and 11 (73.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 53.3±11.2 years. During the follow-up, the duration of oral PPS use was found to be 33.01±10.59 months, cumulative oral PPS dose to be 216.02±97.63 g and duration of diagnosis to be 66.64±39.37 months. The mean central macular thickness of the patients was measured to be 254.55±33.11 μm, and the mean choroidal thickness to be 261.82±34.22 μm. Mean deviation of the visual field of the patients was found to be -1.89 ±-1.25 dB. The mean retinal nerve fiber thickness was measured to be 98.1±17.62 μm from the fundus autofluorescence images of the patients. Furthermore, in the present study, the ocular findings of the patients who are at below and above the mean cumulative dose and exposure period were compared. Conclusion This study detected no correlation between longterm PPS use and maculopathy. When forming the patient group it is crucial to exclude patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and to form a homogeneous group by phenotype and subgroup assessment. Randomized, prospective, multi-center studies are needed to better assess this correlation.

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