Status of international consensus on interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome/painful bladder syndrome: 2008 snapshot.
Over the last 6 years there have been ongoing efforts around the world to standardize nomenclature, definition, and evaluation of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome/painful bladder syndrome. The convergence this year of several new projects stimulated an effort to bring together thought leaders from around the world to give a snapshot of current thinking with regard to this disorder. The Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology brought together thought leaders from Europe, Asia, and the United States to Miami, and a broad, structured discussion ensued which is the subject of this report. The most appropriate name of the disease remains an area of contention. A final "definition" of BPS/IC did garner substantial agreement among participants: An unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms of more than 6 weeks duration, in the absence of infection or other identifiable causes. It seems that the world is moving to a presumptive diagnosis based on history and physical examination, and relying on invasive procedures for more complex cases, although this is by no means a universal opinion, being more prevalent in the United States and Asia than in Europe. It is hoped that the conference proceedings can serve as a basis for future efforts to develop formal definitions, guidelines, and best practice policies to further advancement of the field.
Hanno
Philip
P
Division of Urology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. phil.hanno@upsh.upenn.edu
Dmochowski
Roger
R
D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000150:complications*