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IC/BPS is a “Clinical Challenge” That Requires a Team Approach, Experts Say
Dinis S, de Oliveira JT, Pinto R, Cruz F, Buffington CT, Dinis P. From bladder to systemic syndrome: concept and treatment evolution of interstitial cystitis. Int J Womens Health. 2015 Jul 23;7:735-44. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S60798. eCollection 2015.
This educational article provides a comprehensive overview of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) geared toward medical specialists in Women’s Health. The article includes an overview of IC/BPS diagnosis, classification, epidemiology, etiology, genetics, treatment, and more. The authors describe treatment of IC/BPS as a “clinical challenge” that ideally should incorporate a multidisciplinary team of specialists, rather than a solo physician. They recommend that after the disorder is adequately diagnosed, the first step in management should be counseling and conservative measures such as dietary changes, analgesics, and stress reducing techniques, among others. When needed, oral medication can be useful, but surgery may be indicated for Hunner’s lesion patients and those who do not respond to oral medication. As IC/BPS is better defined, more individualized treatment will be possible, the authors say.