Interstitial Cystitis: Enhancing Early Identification in Primary Care Settings

Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic and progressive disease of the lower urinary tract, distinguished by urinary urgency, frequency, and chronic pelvic pain. As a diagnosis of exclusion, interstitial cystitis is commonly misdiagnosed in the clinical setting given its variable symptom presentation, similarity to other gynecologic and urologic diseases, and lack of a definitive diagnostic test. Delay in diagnosis promotes disease progression and can lead to a decreased quality of life. Successful management of interstitial cystitis relies on the clinicians' ability to promptly diagnose the syndrome and initiate effective treatment interventions in the early stages of disease.