Interstitial cystitis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation

Mary T. McLennan
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America · 2014 · vol. 41(3) , pp. 385–395 · doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2014.05.004 · PMID:25155120 · W137361454
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Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, causes lower abdominal pain and bladder-related symptoms like frequency and urgency, potentially co-occurring with other chronic pain conditions.

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Abstract

Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, can present with lower abdominal pain/discomfort and dyspareunia, and pain in any distribution of lower spinal nerves. Patients with this condition experience some additional symptoms referable to the bladder, such as frequency, urgency, or nocturia. It can occur across all age groups, although the specific additional symptoms can vary in prevalence depending on patient age. It should be considered in patients who have other chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel, and vulvodynia. The cause is still largely not understood, although there are several postulated mechanisms.

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Condition tags

interstitial_cystitis

MeSH descriptors

Abdominal Pain Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Interstitial Dyspareunia Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Nocturia Pelvic Pain Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain Age Factors Diagnosis, Differential Dyspareunia Humans Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Medical History Taking Nocturia

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