title: Are ulcerative and nonulcerative interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome 2 distinct diseases? A study of coexisting conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coexisting conditions associated with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) have not been fully explored by IC/PBS subtypes. We compared comorbid diagnoses/symptoms in women with ulcerative (ULC) and nonulcerative (N-ULC) IC/PBS and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult women with IC/PBS and controls without IC/PBS completed a mailed survey assessing for 21 diagnoses. IC/PBS subtype was determined by hydrodistention reports. Standardized questionnaires assessed IC/PBS symptoms (Interstitial Cystitis Symptom/Problem Indexes [ICSI-PI]) and for undiagnosed fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression (Symptom Intensity Score [SIS]; Rome III Functional Bowel Questionnaire; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]). Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square, Fisher exact, Wilcoxon rank test, or Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 178 N-ULC IC/PBS patients, 36 ULC IC/PBS patients, and 425 controls, ULC IC/PBS subjects were older (median 63 years; P < .01) and less employed (P < .01), but groups were similar on other demographic characteristics. N-ULC reported more chronic diagnoses (mean 3.5 ± 2.3) than ULC (2.3 ± 2.0) and controls (1.2 ± 1.5) (P < .01). When N-ULC and ULC IC/PBS patients were compared, more N-ULC IC/PBS patients had fibromyalgia (P = .03), migraines (P = .03), temporomandibular joint disorder (P < .01), and higher CES-D (P = .02) and SIS scores (P = .01). The ULC IC/PBS group voided more frequently during the daytime (P = .03) and nighttime (P < .01) and had smaller mean bladder capacity than N-ULC (P < .01). No significant differences were seen between N-ULC and ULC IC/PBS patients on the ICSI-PI and Rome III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Notable differences in the number of comorbid diagnoses and symptoms were seen between IC/PBS subtypes and controls. Subtypes should continue to be evaluated individually to ascertain other similarities and differences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Kim A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Killinger
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mounayer
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Boura
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000150:complications