Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is an uncommon but potentially devastating
pelvic pain disorder affecting both women and men. This condition is often confusable
and comorbid with other pelvic pain disorders. Although our understanding of the underlying
pathophysiology is growing, the exact longitudinal course by which peripheral and
central aberrations involving the bladder mucosa, peripheral inflammation, and central
dysregulation of bladder sensitivity create painful bladder symptoms remains an area
in need of further study. Only a limited number of drugs have been approved for treatment
by the Food and Drug Administration, and overall durable efficacy of the many treatments
reviewed in recent American Urological Association guidelines remains suboptimal,
making awareness, early diagnosis, and use of effective treatments early in the disease
course, where neural changes may still be reversible, imperative.
Keywords
chronic overlapping pain conditions - cross-organ sensitization - glycosaminoglycan
layer
