Interstitial cystitis and the painful bladder: A brief history of nomenclature, definitions and criteria

Abstract

“Practically every author writing on this subject has suggested a new name which only adds to the confusion and multiplication” (Kretschmer H, 1922). Despite multiple names and many definitions and classifications over the past two centuries, the medical world is no closer to discovering the cause or causes of this enigmatic bladder disorder, currently known as interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome or painful bladder syndrome and hypersensitive bladder. International consensus on nomenclature, definitions and diagnosis is now essential to ensure that studies are carried out on the same basis, thereby generating meaningful data that can be relied on for further use. In our electronic age, multiple names and definitions cause confusion for researchers, clinicians and patients, even leading to the patient's diagnosis being unrecognized by authorities, resulting in refusal to reimburse treatment or provide social benefits. As the key to the puzzle lies in the patients, with all their symptoms and comorbidities, and as patients are directly affected by changes in nomenclature and definitions, patient organization representatives should be given every opportunity to participate in discussions on guidelines, taxonomy, definitions and terminology.

Anatomic Sites and Associated Clinical Factors for Deep Dyspareunia

“…Irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria, 24 and painful bladder syndrome was based on criteria from the American Urological Association or the International Continence Society. 25 , 26 Depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing symptoms were assessed using the validated Patient Health Quality–9 questionnaire, 27 the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7 questionnaire, 28 and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, 29 respectively.…”

Hunner lesion versus non‐Hunner lesion interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

“…These were later called glomerulations by Walsh . A nice and comprehensive review of the history of IC has been provided by Meijlink …”

Is Urethral Pain Syndrome Really Part of Bladder Pain Syndrome?

“…The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA), established in 1984, succeeded in gaining the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)'s interest in the research for this field [15]. In an effort to define IC, the NIDDK held a workshop in August 1987, at which point in time, the consensus diagnostic criteria were established for the diagnosis of IC [16].…”

“…In an effort to define IC, the NIDDK held a workshop in August 1987, at which point in time, the consensus diagnostic criteria were established for the diagnosis of IC [16]. After the pilot studies to test for the criteria, they were revised at the follow-up NIDDK workshop in 1988 [15,16]. These criteria were specifically designed for the basic and clinical research purposes, but not as a diagnostic tool for the clinician (Table 1) [17].…”