Addressing quality of life in the patient with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Abstract

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating, chronic condition characterized by chronic pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and frequency and is well-known to be associated with a decrease in work productivity, emotional changes, sleep, sexual dysfunction, and mobility. Many metrics of quality of life (QoL) in this patient population have been developed; however, a unified, standardized approach to QoL in these patients has not been determined. The effects of IC/BPS and co-morbid conditions on QoL are described using current validated metrics. Next, data regarding successful treatment of IC/BPS in terms of QoL improvement are reviewed. While QoL is the single most important clinical measure of success in the treatment of patients suffering from IC/BPS, addressing QoL in this patient population remains a significant challenge, as its effects on QoL are highly variable and unable to be differentiated from the effects of comorbid conditions on QoL, including depression, poor sleep, and inability to work. Future studies will need to address treatment efficacy on the basis of IC/BPS specific QoL metrics, and multi-modal assessment and therapy to address comorbid disease will also play an important role in the future to ensure comprehensive management of these patients.

High-definition ultrasound characterization of acute cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in the mouse

“…Approximately 6.5% of adult women in the United States (US) are affected by interstitial cystitis (IC) [1], a condition characterized by pain, pressure, or discomfort attributed to the bladder and is often associated with urinary urgency and frequency [2]. Symptoms are variable and patient dependent but quality of life can be severely impacted by anxiety, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbance, and impaired work productivity [3]. Symptoms may persist despite treatment.…”

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis in contemporary UK practice: Outcomes of phenotype‐directed management

“…Bladder pain syndrome/ interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a severely debilitating and chronic disorder, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of its sufferers. It is associated with emotional changes including depression, sleep and sexual dysfunction, and a decrease in work productivity 1‐3 . It is also more prevalent than initially thought with an estimated 3–8 million women and 1–4 million men affected in the USA 4 .…”

IL-33 mast cell axis is central in LL-37 induced bladder inflammation and pain in a murine interstitial cystitis model

“…Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a debilitating chronic condition with over 3 million women associated with significant declines in overall well-being and quality of life (QOL). [1] The reduction of QOL results from unrelenting pain, sexual dysfunction, and urinary urgency, and frequency, necessitating frequent trips to the bathroom, sometimes as often as every 10–15 minutes throughout the day and night. [1,2] The direct and indirect costs for U.S. IC/PBS patients and their families, including increased medical expenses and decreased work productivity, is estimated to be on the order of $21.1 billion dollars annually.…”

“…[1] The reduction of QOL results from unrelenting pain, sexual dysfunction, and urinary urgency, and frequency, necessitating frequent trips to the bathroom, sometimes as often as every 10–15 minutes throughout the day and night. [1,2] The direct and indirect costs for U.S. IC/PBS patients and their families, including increased medical expenses and decreased work productivity, is estimated to be on the order of $21.1 billion dollars annually. [3] IC/PBS is a chronic bladder disorder with many patients lacking effective treatment options.…”