Are Ulcerative and Nonulcerative Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome 2 Distinct Diseases? A Study of Coexisting Conditions

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 301 - 308
• Main Authors: Peters, Kenneth M., Killinger, Kim A., Mounayer, Mark H., Boura, Judith A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.08.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cystitis, Interstitial - complications; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Ulcer - complications; Urinary Bladder Diseases - complications; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Urology; Nephrology; Urinary system disease; Pain; Bladder disease; Urinary tract disease; Ulceration; Interstitial cystitis; Syndrome; Urology
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.04.030

Coexisting conditions associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) have not been fully explored by IC/PBS subtypes. We compared comorbid diagnoses/symptoms in women with ulcerative (ULC) and nonulcerative (N-ULC) IC/PBS and controls. Adult women with IC/PBS and controls without IC/PBS completed a mailed survey assessing for 21 diagnoses. IC/PBS subtype was determined by hydrodistention reports. Standardized questionnaires assessed IC/PBS symptoms (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom/Problem Indexes [ICSI-PI]) and for undiagnosed fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression (Symptom Intensity Score [SIS]; Rome III Functional Bowel Questionnaire; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]). Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square, Fisher exact, Wilcoxon rank test, or Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Of 178 N-ULC IC/PBS patients, 36 ULC IC/PBS patients, and 425 controls, ULC IC/PBS subjects were older (median 63 years; P < .01) and less employed ( P < .01), but groups were similar on other demographic characteristics. N-ULC reported more chronic diagnoses (mean 3.5 ± 2.3) than ULC (2.3 ± 2.0) and controls (1.2 ± 1.5) ( P < .01). When N-ULC and ULC IC/PBS patients were compared, more N-ULC IC/PBS patients had fibromyalgia ( P = .03), migraines ( P = .03), temporomandibular joint disorder ( P < .01), and higher CES-D ( P = .02) and SIS scores ( P = .01). The ULC IC/PBS group voided more frequently during the daytime ( P = .03) and nighttime ( P < .01) and had smaller mean bladder capacity than N-ULC ( P < .01). No significant differences were seen between N-ULC and ULC IC/PBS patients on the ICSI-PI and Rome III. Notable differences in the number of comorbid diagnoses and symptoms were seen between IC/PBS subtypes and controls. Subtypes should continue to be evaluated individually to ascertain other similarities and differences.