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Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS): Is There Anything New under the Sun?

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (KL Noblett, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

IC/PBS can be a chronic debilitating bladder condition that has eluded a major diagnostic or treatment breakthrough since the first cases were reported nearly 130 years ago. This condition is defined by a constellation of symptoms including urinary urgency, frequency, and bladder pain without identifiable causes. Potential etiologic mechanisms include bladder urothelial dysfunction, immune dysregulation, pelvic floor myalgia, and nervous system dysfunction. The etiology of IC/PBS is likely multifactorial. Our ability to treat this condition effectively is also limited by the heterogeneity of presentation (varying phenotypes). Very few studies of high-level evidence are available to direct treatment strategies. Since there have been many reviews detailing diagnosis and treatment of IC/PBS, rather than be repetitive, we sought to frame this review by exploring six questions: What is the historical context of IC/PBS? Is it a bladder-based disease? What other conditions are associated with IC/PBS? What does “early” IC/PBS look like, and can this stage be diagnosed? With varying phenotypic presentations, what is the best approach to treat IC/PBS? And finally, what is the history and future of IC/PBS research? The fruits of research to date have minimally impacted care of IC/PBS patients. A different approach with increased research funding is needed to find new things under the sun that will advance the art and science of IC/PBS.

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Conflict of Interest

Marsha K. Guess declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Toby C. Chai reports personal fees from Taris Biomedical; personal fees from Allergan; and personal fees from Ion Channel, Inc. from outside the submitted work.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Yale Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Program, Departments of Urology and Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, 789 Howard Ave., FMP 309, PO Box 208058, New Haven, CT, 06519-8058, USA

    Marsha K. Guess & Toby C. Chai

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  1. Marsha K. Guess
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  2. Toby C. Chai
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Correspondence to Toby C. Chai.

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Guess, M.K., Chai, T.C. Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC/PBS): Is There Anything New under the Sun?. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 3, 165–171 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0086-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-014-0086-7

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