Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic and debilitating condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary urgency and frequency with an unclear etiology. Emerging evidence implicates microbiome dysbiosis-disruptions in the microbial communities inhabiting the body-in IC/BPS pathophysiology.
This review synthesizes the literature on microbial alterations in IC/BPS, including urinary, vaginal, and gastrointestinal microbiota, and their interactions with host inflammatory and metabolic pathways. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed studies from the past 10 years on microbial communities in the body for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Studies have revealed significant changes in microbial species for these patients, especially in urine. However, research on whether IC/BPS can be treated with interventions to modify microbial communities in the body is still needed.
European urology focus. 2025 Jan 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Devika Nandwana, Yuwei Zhang, Ninghan Feng
Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA., Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China; Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China., Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China; Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China. Electronic address: .
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39880761