title: Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclature for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: an ESSIC proposal.
abstract: 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.
authors: Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Joop P
authors: JP
authors: van de Merwe
authors: Jørgen
authors: J
authors: Nordling
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Bouchelouche
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Bouchelouche
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Cervigni
authors: L Kurosch
authors: LK
authors: Daha
authors: Suzy
authors: S
authors: Elneil
authors: Magnus
authors: M
authors: Fall
authors: Gero
authors: G
authors: Hohlbrugger
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Irwin
authors: Svend
authors: S
authors: Mortensen
authors: Arndt
authors: A
authors: van Ophoven
authors: John L
authors: JL
authors: Osborne
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Peeker
authors: Benedikte
authors: B
authors: Richter
authors: Claus
authors: C
authors: Riedl
authors: Jukka
authors: J
authors: Sairanen
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Tinzl
authors: Jean-Jacques
authors: JJ
authors: Wyndaele
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D012955:Societies, Medical; D009626:Terminology as Topic