Localization of the urge to void in patients with painful bladder syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to describe the location of urinary urgency or bladder discomfort in patients with painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and controls.


METHODS
Patients with symptomatic diagnoses of PBS, overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and asymptomatic controls were asked to indicate the location of their urinary urge/urgency/discomfort on a body map.


RESULTS
We present results for 30 PBS patients, 25 OAB patients, 15 SUI patients, and 15 asymptomatic controls. In asymptomatic subjects and those with SUI, the urge to void was localized to the suprapubic region only. More than half (53%) of patients with PBS and a minority (20%) of those with OAB localized their urinary urgency/discomfort to both suprapubic and vulvar/urethral locations. Some patients with PBS also localized their urinary discomfort to other body sites including low back, upper and lateral buttocks, lower abdomen, and upper thighs.


CONCLUSIONS
In most patients with PBS and some with OAB, complaints of bladder discomfort or urgency may refer to sensations that are localized at sites other than suprapubic. The etiology of widespread sensation may include an expansion of dermatomes of referral of bladder sensation, and/or the presence of associated somatic abnormalities.
FitzGerald
Mary P
MP
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA. mfitz8@lumc.edu
Kenton
Kimberly S
KS
Brubaker
Linda
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology