Improving the Diagnosis and Management of Interstitial Cystitis

Abstract

Many obstetrician/gynecologists have encountered the enigmatic patient who reports persistent irritative urinary symptoms. Often, these patients have taken multiple courses of antibiotics for clinically suspected urinary tract infections despite negative urine cultures. Some of these patients likely have interstitial cystitis (IC), a disease about which very little is understood. Because of the gap in knowledge, the resultant delay in diagnosis of IC has led to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes, disgruntled patients, and even an association with depressive symptomatology.1 Held et al2 demonstrated that the quality of life for patients with IC is worse than that of patients in long-term dialysis treatment. Early diagnosis can minimize the level of complexity required for treatment, which is beneficial to both the patient and the physician. The goal of this article is to address this gap; after participating in this activity, the obstetrician/ gynecologist should be better able to evaluate patients with suspected IC in a timely manner. Clinicians will also be able to develop a treatment plan and educate patients about treatment options and prognosis for IC. What Is Interstitial Cystitis?