Re-imagining Interstitial Cystitis

Since the postulation of an “antiproliferative factor” in 1998 and a description, six years later, of this putative central protein in the etiologic pathway of the painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis, there have been no dramatic breakthroughs in the field. Although much potentially exciting work is in progress with regard to epidemiology, etiology, and clinical treatment, many clinicians and researchers have used this hiatus to take another look at what exactly is being studied and how the syndrome should be approached. This article explores some of the current “hot-button” issues of definition and nomenclature that have formed the basis of many international meetings in the last 5 years.