• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Interstitial cystitis (IC)

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Interstitial cystitis is chronic (long-term) inflammation of the bladder wall.

Alternative Names:

Cystitis - interstitial; IC

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the tissues of the bladder wall. The cause is unknown. The condition is usually diagnosed by ruling out other conditions (such as sexually transmitted disease, bladder cancer, and bladder infections).

IC is frequently misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection, and patients often go years without a correct diagnosis. On average, there is about a 4-year delay between the time the first symptoms occur and the diagnosis is made.

More than 700,000 Americans have IC. The condition generally occurs around age 30 to 40, although it has been reported in younger people. Women are 10 times more likely to have IC than men.

References:

Nickel JC. Interstitial cystitis: a chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Med Clin North Am . 2004; 88(2): 467-81, xii.

Mattox TF. Interstitial cystitis in adolescents and children: a review.  J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol . 2004; 17(1): 7-11.

Metts JF. Interstitial Cystitis: Urgency and Frequency Syndrome. Am Fam Physician . 2001 Oct 1;64(7):1199-206.

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology . 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002:631-660. 

• Review Date: 5/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.