J Korean Continence Soc.  2001 Jun;5(1):75-81. 10.5213/jkcs.2001.5.1.75.

The Use of Permeability of Potassium in the Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis

• Kang TW
• Kim DW
• Yoon JH
• Kwon HY

• KMID: 2330459
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5213/jkcs.2001.5.1.75

Abstract

PURPOSE
The Aim of this study was to find the value of intravesical permeability of potassium as a diagnostic measure of the interstitial cystitis and to find importance of intravesical mucosal layer by intravesical instillation of potassium chloride solution.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
20 patients with interstitial cystitis and 20 normal subjects without UTI, frequency and urgency underwent intravesical challenge with 40ml water and 40ml of 400meq/L potassium chloride solution. After 5 minutes, patients were asked about increase or decrease of urgency or suprapubic pain and subjective response of urgency or suprapubic pain were recorded on a scale of 0 to 5.
RESULTS
Neither normal subjects nor patients with interstitial cystitis reacted to water administered intravesically. There was marked sensitivity to intravesical potassium in 85% of patients with interstitial cystitis versus 10% of normal controls (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Diffusion of urinary potassium ion into the bladder interstitium may induce sensory symptoms, damage the tissue and be a major toxic factor in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis. Intravesical potassium sensitivity can be a reliable method for detecting abnormal epithelial permeability and useful diagnostic test for interstitial cystitis.

Keyword

Interstital cystitis; Frequency; Urgency; Suprapubic pain

MeSH Terms

Administration, Intravesical
Cystitis, Interstitial*
Diagnosis*
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Diffusion
Humans
Permeability*
Potassium Chloride
Potassium*
Urinary Bladder
Water
Potassium
Potassium Chloride
Water