Overactive bladder symptoms may mask IC: treatment-resistant cases.(Gynecology)

LAS VEGAS -- More than hall of the 25 million Americans who surfer from overactive bladder symptoms may have interstitial cystitis, Dr. Maurice K. Chung said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

Every year, an estimated 700,000 people are diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC)--a difficult diagnosis to make, he commented.

In a study conducted by Dr. Chung and his associates, however, 59 (60%) of 98 women with overactive bladder symptoms tested positive for potassium permeability defect, which is indicative of bladder origin pathology consistent with IC.

Although his study included only women, recent research by other investigators suggests that most men with overactive bladder also have IC. And if the results of Dr. Chung's study are extrapolated to the entire U.S. population, approximately 15 million Americans with overactive bladder symptoms also could have IC, he said.

In the current study, Dr. Chung and his associates at the Midwest Regional Center for Chronic Pelvic Pain and Bladder Control in Lima, Ohio, conducted potassium sensitivity and urodynamic testing on 80 patients and cystoscopic hydrodistention on 42 patients in the prospective cohort study. Some patients underwent all three tests.

At baseline, none of the patients complained of abdominal or bladder pain or tenderness, but all had at least a 6-month history of overactive bladder symptoms, defined as urinary urgency or frequency (more than seven urinations in 24 hours and at least one instance of nocturia) with or without incontinence. All had negative urine cultures.

Of the 42 patients who underwent cystoscopic evaluation under general anesthesia, 33 (79%) were found to have ...