
1 It is also more common in Caucasians than in other races. IC/BPS is more common in women, and a recent estimate shows the female-to-male ratio to be 10:1.

The estimated prevalence of IC/BPS may vary depending on the method used. 2 The American Urological Association (AUA) guideline defines IC/BPS as “an unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms of more than six weeks’ duration, in the absence of infection or other identifiable causes.” 3 There is also a lack of randomized, controlled trials.
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1 The symptoms of IC/BPS vary among patients, with the definitions of the condition and how to measure outcomes varying as well. There is controversy surrounding the management of IC/BPS, with no clear consensus for its optimal treatment. 1 The term BPS is not used alone because of the previous efforts to identify IC as a debilitating medical condition, so for continuity reasons it is called IC/BPS. Chronic bladder pain has historically been referred to as interstitial cystitis however, since there is no clear evidence that bladder inflammation (cystitis) is involved in the pathophysiology or that the condition is associated with abnormalities of the interstices of the bladder, it has been thought to be misnamed. Interstitial cystitis (IC) and bladder pain syndrome (BPS) or painful bladder syndrome are terms that are used together to describe a chronic condition involving bladder pain or discomfort, which can have a significant impact on quality of life. Due to the difficulty in fully understanding this condition, the goal of therapy is to provide symptom relief and improve quality of life. The American Urological Association guideline recommends a stepwise approach in the selection of treatment options, based on patient characteristics and the severity of symptoms. The exact etiology of IC/BPS is unknown, leading to controversy regarding treatment. ABSTRACT: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition of the bladder, which causes pain or discomfort in the absence of infection or other identifiable causes.
