Short interval between symptom onset and medical care as an indication of rapid onset of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

Prodrome and Non-prodrome Phenotypes of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that risk factors for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) in women differ between those with and without the BPS/IC prodrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Incident cases of BPS/IC and healthy controls were recruited nationally. More than half the BPS/IC cases reported subsyndromal urinary symptoms for decades before onset of BPS/IC and were identified as having the prodrome. Risk factors for BPS/IC were examined separately for cases with and without the prodrome using a set of matched controls.

RESULTS

Two risk factors distinguished 178 prodrome from 134 non-prodrome cases. One was "UTIs" in the year before BPS/IC onset, possibly a manifestation of the prodrome itself. The other was the presence of the maximal number of nonbladder syndromes (NBSs): prodrome cases were 12 times more likely than non-prodrome cases to have ≥4 NBSs. Additional risk factors for prodrome and/or non-prodrome cases were the direct association of exogenous female hormones, as well as 3 inverse associations: type 2 diabetes mellitus, multiple pregnancies, and current daily smoking.

CONCLUSION

Prodrome cases developed urinary symptoms in their early 20s (ie, the prodrome) and were at very high risk of numerous NBSs. Non-prodrome cases developed urinary symptoms in their early 40s (ie, full-blown BPS/IC) and were no more likely than controls to have the maximal number of NBSs. These findings are consistent with recent suggestions of two BPS/IC phenotypes: one with systemic and psychosocial manifestations and the other more specific to the bladder. Additionally, several risk factors identified here might be hints of related or causal nervous system pathophysiologies.

Mirabegron as adjuvant treatment for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients represent a heterogeneous group with pain and urinary storage symptoms and varying responses to current treatment options. The novel beta-3 agonist, mirabegron, has been shown to improve storage symptoms of patients with bladder overactivity; however, its effect on symptoms in the IC/BPS population has yet to be studied.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed at a single IC centre with IC/BPS undergoing standard therapy were treated with additional daily mirabegron 25 mg and seen in followup post-treatment. Patients completed the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index (ICSI/ICPI), and the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale (PUF) prior to and following mirabegron treatment. Global (NRS) and symptom-specific outcomes were assessed by comparing the pre- and post-treatment mean scores using tailed-t test (p<0.05 considered statistically significant).

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients were available for review pre- and post-mirabegron treatment. There was no significant difference in ICSI (p=0.448), ICPI (p=0.352), or PUF (p=0.869) pre- and post-treatment. Analysis of symptom-specific outcomes show statistically significant improvements in urgency (p=0.048); however, no statistically significant improvements in frequency (p=0.951) or pain (p=0.952) were observed with mirabegron therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

IC/BPS patients treated with mirabegron had improvement of urinary urgency, but no significant benefit in terms of pain or urinary frequency. This data suggests that mirabegron's role in the IC/BPS patient should be that of adjuvant treatment to ameliorate urgency.

Diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: AUA guideline amendment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this amendment is to provide an updated clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome based upon data received since the publication of original guideline in 2011.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review using the MEDLINE(®) database (search dates 1/1/83-7/22/09) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of IC/BPS. This initial review yielded an evidence base of 86 treatment articles after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The AUA update literature review process, in which an additional systematic review is conducted periodically to maintain guideline currency with newly published relevant literature, was conducted in July 2013. This review identified an additional 31 articles, which were added to the evidence base of this Guideline.

RESULTS

Newly incorporated literature describing the treatment of IC/BPS was integrated into the Guideline with additional treatment information provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions when insufficient evidence existed. The diagnostic portion of the Guideline remains unchanged from the original publication and is still based on Expert Opinions and Clinical Principles.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of IC/BPS continues to evolve as can be seen by an expanding literature on the topic. This document constitutes a clinical strategy and is not intended to be interpreted rigidly. The most effective approach for a particular patient is best determined by the individual clinician and patient. As the science relevant to IC/BPS evolves and improves, the strategies presented will require amendment to remain consistent with the highest standards of care.

Urgency and pain in patients with overactive bladder and bladder pain syndrome. What are the differences?

BACKGROUND

The Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) and the Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC) are different urological conditions sharing 'urgency' as a common symptom. The aim of this review is to address our existing knowledge and establish how these symptoms are interrelated and to determine whether or not there is a common link between both symptoms complexes that help to distinguish one from the other.

METHODS

Pubmed was used to obtain references for this non-systematic review aiming to discuss differences between OAB and BPS/IC. Guidelines of several professional associations and discussions based on expert opinion from the authors were implemented.

RESULTS

Whilst in BPS the hallmark symptom is pain on bladder filling, urgency is the defining symptom of OAB. Whilst it is likely that the pain in BPS/IC arises from local inflammation in the bladder wall, the nature of urgency as a symptom, its origin, and the relationship between urgency and pain, as well as the different afferent mechanisms associated with the genesis of these sensory symptoms, remains unknown. Although the aetiology of both OAB and PBS/IC is unclear, the influence of environmental factors has been suggested. Both are chronic conditions with very variable symptom resolution and response to therapy. The relationship with voiding dysfunction, gynaecological causes of chronic pelvic pain or the possible alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and psychological disorders has not been established. Inflammation has been suggested as the common link between OAB and BPS/IC.

CONCLUSIONS

OAB and BPS/IC are different symptoms complexes that share urgency as a common symptom. None of them have a specific symptom although pain on bladder filling is the hallmark symptom in BPS/IC. Bladder pain with urgency should be a trigger for referral to the provider with appropriate knowledge and expertise in this disease state, whereas the management of OAB should be part of normal routine care in the community.

AUA guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

PURPOSE

To provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE® database (search dates 1/1/83-7/22/09) was conducted to identify peer reviewed publications relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Insufficient evidence-based data were retrieved regarding diagnosis and, therefore, this portion of the Guideline is based on Clinical Principles and Expert Opinion statements. The review yielded an evidence base of 86 treatment articles after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. These publications were used to create the majority of the treatment portion of the Guideline. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate) or C (low). Additional treatment information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinion when insufficient evidence existed. See text and algorithm for definitions, and detailed diagnostic management, and treatment frameworks.

RESULTS

The evidence-based guideline statements are provided for diagnosis and overall management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome as well as for various treatments. The panel identified first through sixth line treatments as well as developed guideline statements on treatments that should not be offered.

CONCLUSIONS

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is best identified and managed through use of a logical algorithm such as is presented in this Guideline. In the algorithm the panel identifies an overall management strategy for the interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patient. Diagnosis and treatment methodologies can be expected to change as the evidence base grows in the future.

What is new in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is an important and poorly understood disorder. This review highlights current research findings that may be of benefit to the clinician who is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of patients who suffer from this condition.

RECENT FINDINGS

The perspective from which we view bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is evolving, as is apparent in the literature this year. It is best perceived as one of many chronic pain syndromes, some of which may be related. International efforts aimed at consistent definition and nomenclature are ongoing. Some new treatments have been reported that may be of benefit.

SUMMARY

In the age of the internet, it is incumbent upon the clinician to keep up with current ideas, epidemiology, and treatment findings to be able to discuss these with well informed patients who come to clinics around the world. In this review we hope to bring practicing healthcare providers up to date with the literature on bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, and the implications for their patients.