Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain in the absence of any other identifiable pathology. Initial identification of IC/PBS is challenging, as patients may have a range of symptoms that overlap with other disorders, including urinary tract infection (UTI). These patients may be treated empirically with antibiotics; however, many patients with such symptoms are actually culture negative and are later diagnosed with IC/PBS. This review describes the importance of recognizing the symptom overlap between IC/PBS and UTI and focuses on approaches to the diagnosis and management of IC/PBS. Physicians can improve patient care by considering IC/PBS early in the differential diagnosis.

Written by
Dell JR

Reference
J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2007 Oct;16(8):1181-7
doi:10.1089/jwh.2006.0182

PubMed Abstract
PMID:17937571

UroToday.com Painful Bladder Syndrome Section

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