Hydrogen Water Shows No Benefit for Bladder Pain in Clinical Trial
- Authors
- Seiji Matsumoto, Tomohiro Ueda, Hidehiro Kakizaki
- Journal
- Urology
- Year
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.urology.2012.10.026
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Body System
- Urinary
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water did not significantly help most patients with bladder pain syndrome compared to a placebo.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water did not reduce interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome symptoms more effectively than placebo water in this randomized controlled trial.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich water could help people with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (a chronic condition causing bladder pain and urinary urgency). In a controlled study of 28 participants who received either hydrogen-rich water or regular water for 8 weeks, both groups experienced reduced bladder pain. However, hydrogen-rich water worked no better than placebo water overall, though it did help a small group (11%) of patients significantly.
Practical Takeaway
This human study suggests hydrogen-rich water is not an effective treatment for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as a whole, though the small sample size (28 people) and the fact that both groups improved means more research would be needed to fully understand its role. The finding that a small subset benefited suggests individual responses may vary, but current evidence does not support using it as a standard treatment for this condition.
Abstract
To investigate the efficacy of hydrogen-rich water for the treatment of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of hydrogen-rich water in patients with IC/PBS. Inclusion criteria were stable symptoms of IC/PBS for ≥12 weeks after bladder hydrodistension, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index score of ≥7 and bladder pain (question 4 on Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index) of ≥4. They were randomized by a 2:1 ratio to receive hydrogen-rich water or placebo water for 8 weeks. The symptoms were assessed using the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index, Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index, Parsons' Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale, visual analog scale bladder pain scores, and a standard 3-day voiding diary. The primary outcome was improvement of patient-reported symptoms evaluated after treatment. A total of 30 participants (29 women and 1 man, age 64.0 ± 14.8 years) were enrolled in the present study, and 2 patients (both women) were withdrawn from the study. The score of bladder pain was significantly reduced in both groups. However, the effect of hydrogen-rich water on symptoms was not significantly different from that of placebo, although supplementation with hydrogen-rich water was extremely effective in improving the bladder pain score in 11% of the patients. The results of the present study do not support the use of supplementation with hydrogen-rich water for treating patients with IC/PBS.