Global concepts of bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis)

Background

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), commonly referred to as “interstitial cystitis”, is no longer considered a rare disorder. It may affect up to 2.7% of the adult female population (Ueda et al. in Int J Urol 10:1–70, 2003) with up to 20% of cases occurring in men.

Methods

The last two decades have seen a worldwide effort to try to standardize its nomenclature, definition, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm. The literature has been reviewed.

Results

In this article, we will detail current terminology, diagnostic approaches and treatment. Standard therapies will be discussed, and a section that concentrates on the management of the subset of patients with a Hunner’s lesion will be highlighted.

Conclusions

BPS is today viewed through a new paradigm. It is no longer considered primarily a bladder disease, but rather one of a number of chronic pain syndromes that is distinguished by being manifest through bladder-related symptoms. A distinct subgroup of patients with Hunner’s lesion has specific characteristics, and successful treatment of this subgroup is available.