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Risk factors for painful bladder syndrome in women seeking gynecologic care

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Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to report risk factors for painful bladder syndrome in women. We surveyed 645 women presenting for care to general gynecology clinics and a vulvar specialty clinic using a standardized questionnaire and validated outcome measures. We used two definitions for painful bladder syndrome, based on the O‘Leary–Sant interstitial cystitis symptom and problem indices. Of those women surveyed, 29.5% met broader criteria and 8.5% met more restrictive criteria for painful bladder syndrome. After adjusting for confounders, bladder pain was significantly associated with current smoking, irritable bowel syndrome, and a generalized pain disorder. Tobacco use, the only modifiable association noted on multivariate analysis, has not been previously identified to our knowledge.

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Abbreviations

ICSI:

Interstitial cystitis symptom index

ICPI:

Interstitial cystitis problem index

UDI-6:

Short form urinary distress inventory

BMI:

Body mass index

NIDDK:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded in part by the NICHD 1K23 HD045769-01 as part of a K23 Career Development Award (Dr. Kennedy). The sponsor of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or in the writing of the report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA

    Colleen M. Kennedy, Catherine S. Bradley, Rudolph P. Galask & Ingrid E. Nygaard

Authors
  1. Colleen M. Kennedy
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  2. Catherine S. Bradley
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  3. Rudolph P. Galask
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  4. Ingrid E. Nygaard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colleen M. Kennedy.

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Kennedy, C.M., Bradley, C.S., Galask, R.P. et al. Risk factors for painful bladder syndrome in women seeking gynecologic care. Int Urogynecol J 17, 73–78 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-1348-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-1348-8

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