nterstitial Cystitis (IC) is characterized by a number of symptoms (urinary urgency, frequency, and suprapubic pain) which can affect IC patients in varying combinations, and/or varying degrees of intensity. In recent years, it has been noted that other medical conditions seem to occur in IC patients more frequently than they do in individuals without IC.

 

The risk factors for both IC and IBS include:

• Sex - females develop the condition by a factor of 9 over males.
• Age - more common in adults.
• Race - Caucasians seem to be the primary sufferers, although this may change as reporting and diagnostic procedures become more widespread.

 

In the May, 1997 IC supplement to the journal Urology Dr. Alagiri et al reported on associations of IC with other chronic disease and pain syndromes. They analyzed results from a study conducted by the ICA to determine if there was a correlation between IC and other diseases. Allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and sensitive skin were the three most common diseases in the IC population. Additional data follow.

 

• IC patients were 100 times more likely than the general population to have irritable bowel syndrome.
• IC patients were 30 times more likely than the general population to have systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Individuals with allergies, migraine headaches, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or sensitive skin may have a greater chance of developing IC.
• Individuals already suffering from IC may have a greater chance of developing fibromyalgia, incontinence, or chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Vulvodynia--a syndrome marked by various painful vulvovaginal symptoms--is the 4th most common IC-associated condition. It has been postulated that a common defect in the bladder and vaginal tissues may contribute to both conditions.

 

While there are no clear explanations for the relationship between IC and other diseases, Dr. Alagiri et al write "Evaluation of these results indicates that IC, which at present has neither a specific nor a curative treatment, has an increased association with certain chronic disease and pain syndromes and raises the question of whether these… syndromes should be investigated for a common biochemical defect."

 

• Erickson DR, Morgan KC, Ordille S, Keay SK, Xie SX , Nonbladder related symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis. J Urol 2001 Aug;166(2):557-61; discussion 561-2.
• Ratner, V, Current Controversies that Adversely Affect Intersitial Cystitis Patients, Urology: Interstitial Cystitis Supplement to June, 2001, Philip M. Hanno, MD, Vicki Ratner, MD, Grannum R. Sant, MD and Alan J. Wein, MD, Editors, pp. 89-94.
• Perilli, L, Seeing the Forest through the Trees: For Many Patients IC is Not Just a Bladder Disease, ICA Update, July, 2000. pp. 4-6
• Alagiri, M, et al, Interstitial Cystitis: Unexplained Associations with Other Chronic Disease and Pain Syndromes, Urology: Interstitial Cystitis Supplement to May 1997, Alan J. Wein, MD & Philip M Hanno, MD, Editors, pp. 52-57.