Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome in Patients With or Without Sexual Abuse History

PurposeWe tested the hypothesis that female patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with or without a history of prior sexual abuse have different clinical presentations.Materials and MethodsConsecutive newly diagnosed women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome were stratified into those with and those without a history of sexual abuse, and cohorts were compared. Analysis included demographics, frequency, nocturia, voided volumes, pelvic pain urgency frequency, interstitial cystitis symptom index and problem index scores, female sexual function index scores and physical examination findings.ResultsThere were 119 subjects, 30 (25%) with a history of sexual abuse. Comparing subjects with or without a history of sexual abuse, mean daytime frequency (minutes between voids) was 106 vs 60 (p <0.0001), nocturic episodes was 1.4 vs 3.1 (p = 0.0002) and voided volume was 234 vs 115 cc (p <0.001), respectively. On examination tenderness was more likely elicited on suprapubis, vulva, posterior vaginal wall, cervical motion, levators and rectum (p <0.05) in subjects with a history of sexual abuse. Female sexual function index domain scores were worse for all domains (p <0.05) for subjects with a history of sexual abuse. Age, duration of symptoms, pelvic pain urgency frequency, interstitial cystitis symptom index, interstitial cystitis problem index and hydrodistention volumes were similar.ConclusionsFemale patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with a history of sexual abuse have a different clinical presentation compared to those without an abuse history. Patients with a history of abuse present with more pain and fewer voiding problems. Patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with a sexual abuse history may have increased central sensitization.