title: Bladder Pain Syndrome Committee of the International Consultation on Incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Bladder Pain Syndrome Committee of the International Consultation on Incontinence was assigned the task by the consultation of reviewing the syndrome, formerly known as interstitial cystitis, in a comprehensive fashion. This included the topics of definition, nomenclature, taxonomy, epidemiology, etiology, pathology, diagnosis, symptom scales, outcome assessment, principles of management, specific therapies, and future directions in research.
  The emphasis was on new information developed since the last consultation 4 years previously. Where possible, existing evidence was assessed and a level of recommendation was developed according to the Oxford system of classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The consultation decided to refer to the condition as "bladder pain syndrome" (BPS) because the designation is more descriptive of the clinical condition and better fits standard classification taxonomy. Reasonable definitions of BPS include the definition of the ESSIC European group and a slight modification made at a SUFU sponsored Miami meeting in early 2008. Males or females with pain, pressure, or discomfort that they perceive to be related to the bladder with at least one urinary symptom, such as frequency not obviously related to high fluid intake, or a persistent urge to void should be evaluated for possible BPS. The initial assessment consists of a frequency/volume chart, focused physical examination, urinalysis, and urine culture. Urine cytology and cystoscopy are recommended if clinically indicated. Treatment progresses from conservative management through various oral and intravesical therapies, with most surgical therapies reserved for unresponsive cases. Pain management is critical throughout the treatment process. The consultation believes that the disorder is best viewed as one of a group of chronic pain syndromes, rather than as primarily an inflammatory bladder disorder. Recommendations for future research pathways are suggested.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. phil.hanno@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanno
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jörgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nordling
authors.forename: Leroy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nyberg
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Ophoven
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wein
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000592:standards*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D009938:Organizations; D012307:Risk Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D014572:Urology / Q000592:standards*