Associations among cystoscopic findings and symptoms and physical examination findings in women enrolled in the Interstitial Cystitis Data Base (ICDB) study

Objectives. To determine if specific symptoms or physical findings were associated with findings on cystoscopic examination under anesthesia in patients participating in the Interstitial Cystitis Data Base (ICDB) Study. Methods. Subjects entering the ICDB Study completed symptom questionnaires and underwent physical examinations. Additionally, at the discretion of study investigators, 150 women underwent cystoscopy under anesthesia following a specific protocol of bladder distension at 70 to 80 cm irrigating fluid height and reinspection after capacity was reached and the irrigant drained. Results. Statistically significant (p <0.01) associations between bodily pain and urinary urgency with the presence of a Hunner's patch, and urinary frequency and urgency with a reduced bladder capacity under anesthesia were seen. Neither the findings of bloody irrigating fluid nor glomerulations were strongly associated with any symptom, and except for an association of urethral tenderness with Hunner's patch, no physical examination finding was associated with any cystoscopic findings. Conclusions. The strong associations of Hunner's patch and reduced bladder capacity under anesthesia with severe pain and urinary urgency, and urgency and frequency, respectively, indicate not only the importance of these findings in diagnosing interstitial cystitis, but also their potential utility in subclassifying this disease.