Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclature for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: an ESSIC proposal.
OBJECTIVE
Because the term "interstitial cystitis" (IC) has different meanings in different centers and different parts of the world, the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) has worked to create a consensus on definitions, diagnosis, and classification in an attempt to overcome the lack of international agreement on various aspects of IC.


METHODS
ESSIC has discussed definitions, diagnostic criteria, and disease classification in four meetings and extended e-mail correspondence.


RESULTS
It was agreed to name the disease bladder pain syndrome (BPS). BPS would be diagnosed on the basis of chronic pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort perceived to be related to the urinary bladder accompanied by at least one other urinary symptom such as persistent urge to void or urinary frequency. Confusable diseases as the cause of the symptoms must be excluded. Classification of BPS types might be performed according to findings at cystoscopy with hydrodistention and morphologic findings in bladder biopsies. The presence of other organ symptoms as well as cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and sexual symptoms, should be addressed.


CONCLUSIONS
The name IC has become misleading and is replaced by BPS. This name is in line with recent nomenclature recommendations by the European Association of Urology and is based on the axial structure of the International Association for the Study of Pain classification. To facilitate the change of the name, ESSIC agreed to include IC in the overall term (BPS/IC) during this transition period.
van de Merwe
Joop P
JP
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Nordling
Jørgen
J
Bouchelouche
Pierre
P
Bouchelouche
Kirsten
K
Cervigni
Mauro
M
Daha
L Kurosch
LK
Elneil
Suzy
S
Fall
Magnus
M
Hohlbrugger
Gero
G
Irwin
Paul
P
Mortensen
Svend
S
van Ophoven
Arndt
A
Osborne
John L
JL
Peeker
Ralph
R
Richter
Benedikte
B
Riedl
Claus
C
Sairanen
Jukka
J
Tinzl
Martina
M
Wyndaele
Jean-Jacques
JJ
D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D012955:Societies, Medical; D009626:Terminology as Topic