REVIEW   Free access

Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2020 June;72(3):321-31

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-2249.20.03672-3

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The role of glycosaminoglycans in the management of chronic pelvic pain: a systematic review

Valerio IACOVELLI ^{1, 2}, Daniele BIANCHI ³ ✉, Simone PLETTO ⁴, Patrizio PACINI ⁴, Claudia FEDE SPICCHIALE ⁴, Enrico FINAZZI AGRÒ ¹

¹ Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; ² Department of Urology, San Carlo di Nancy Hospital, Rome, Italy; ³ Department of Urology, Tor Vergata Polyclinic, Rome, Italy; ⁴ School of Specialization in Urology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

INTRODUCTION: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are involved in the pathogenesis of several urologic chronic diseases. Thus, GAGs replenishment therapy is widely reported as a therapeutic tool for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) conditions such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and prostate pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis. In this article we reviewed the current status of evidence on the clinic applications of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the CPP.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search from inception was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement to identify clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 29 papers were identified regarding the use of GAGs in CPP.
CONCLUSIONS: GAGs replenishment therapy results are encouraging in chronic forms of pelvic pain even though well-powered randomized clinical trials are needed to better comprehend the exact role of this treatment.

KEY WORDS: Glycosaminoglycan; Administration, intravesical; Prostatitis; Cystitis, interstitial