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Interstitial Cystitis
- Epidemiology
- U.S. Prevelance: 450,000 to 700,000 (52-67 per 100,000)
- Women account for 90% of patients
- Jewish persons account for 15% of patients
- Age Distribution
- Less commonly occurs in children
- Onset between ages 30 to 70 years old
- Patients under age 30 account for 25% of cases
- Median age: 40 to 43 years old
- Cause
- Unknown
- Pathophysiology
- Glycosaminoglycan deficiency in bladder mucin layer
- Hydrophilic layer is water barrier for urothelium
- Glycosaminoglycan deficiency disrupts protection
- Response to prior bacterial Urinary Tract Infection
- Allows urinary solutes to provoke inflammation
- Tissue irritation and injury
- Sensory nerve depolarization
- Mast cell degranulation
- Mast cells may also be abnormal
- Glycosaminoglycan deficiency in bladder mucin layer
- Types
- Symptoms
- Suprapubic Pain or Pelvic Pain
- Relieved with small volume voids
- Pain recurs with bladder filling
- Nocturia
- Excessive urinary urgency
- Uncomfortable constant urge to void
- Not relieved with voiding
- Urinary Frequency
- More than 8 voids per day
- Average: 16 voids per day
- Reported as high as 40 voids per day
- Symptoms persist over 9 months
- Symptoms not due to recent Urinary Tract Infection
- Symptoms worse during week before Menses
- Dyspareunia
- Gross Hematuria (20%)
- Incontinence suggests other diagnosis
- Suprapubic Pain or Pelvic Pain
- Signs
- Bladder capacity under 350 ml
- Urge to void occurs if bladder distended >150 ml
- Differential Diagnosis
- Tuberculous cystitis
- Radiation cystitis
- Genitourinary tumor
- Chemical cystitis
- Active Genital Herpes
- Chlamydia trachomatis infection
- Vaginitis
- Vulvar Vestibulitis
- Urethral diverticulum
- Neuropathic bladder dysfunction
- Endometriosis
- Contrast: Symptoms worse during menstruation
- Prostatitis
- Associated Conditions
- Major Depression (50%)
- Suicidal Ideation (relative risk: 3-4)
- Allergic disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Vulvodynia
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine Headache
- Endometriosis
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- May be responsible for 33% of Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Clemons (2002) Obstet Gynecol 100:337
- Labs
- Urinalysis
- Microscopic Hematuria may be present
- Pyuria may be present
- Urine Culture sterile
- Urine Cytology
- Urinalysis
- Evaluation
- Careful examination including pelvic exam
- Patient keeps 24 hour log of voiding
- Urodynamic Studies
- Shows decreased bladder capacity
- Not specific for interstitial cystitis
- Cystoscopy
- Hydrodistention may relieve symptoms for months
- Hunner's Ulcers
- Mucosal Ulcers on bladder wall with granulation
- Brownish red ulcers involve all bladder wall layers
- Glomerulations on hydrodistention with saline
- Multiple petechial-like hemorrhages in mucosa
- May be seen in asymptomatic patients
- Blood tinged fluid occurs in 90% of patients
- Biopsy
- Evaluate for neoplasia, dysplasia or Tuberculosis
- Confirms bladder wall inflammation
- Identify subgroups (e.g. Eosinophil excess)
- Management: General
- Reassurance
- Not cancer
- Not indicator for more severe systemic disease
- Therapy is symptomatic not curative
- Avoid exacerbating foods
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Carbonated beverages
- Citrus fruits or beverages
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Tomatoes
- Chocolate
- Chronic Pain Management adjuncts
- Support groups (See resources below)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Physical Therapy with biofeedback
- Pelvic floor relaxation Exercises
- Reassurance
- Management: First Line Medications
- Pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron) 100 mg PO tid
- Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Doxepin (Sinequan)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Start Elavil 25 mg qhs
- Increase every 2 to 4 weeks up to 150 mg maximum
- Hydroxazine (Atarax) 25-75 mg PO qhs
- May reduce mast cell degranulation symptoms
- Management: Other Medications
- Nifedipine XL (Procardia XL)
- Start: 30 mg PO qd
- Increase to 60 mg qd
- Cimetidine (Tagamet) 300 mg PO bid
- Aspirin
- Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
- Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Nifedipine XL (Procardia XL)
- Management: Intravesicular Instillation
- Instillation Agents
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50) q1-2 weeks x4-8 times
- Heparin 10,000 Unit 3x/week (may potentiate Rimso-50)
- Hyaluronic acid 40 mg qWeek
- Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) qWeek x6 times
- Administration
- Initially performed in clinic via Urinary Catheter
- Patient may learn to self-catheterize for home
- Efficacy
- Long-term remission seen in >50% of patients
- Instillation Agents
- Prognosis
- May be severely debilitating
- Waxing and waning course
- Resources
- Interstitial Cystitis Association
- References