Development of glomerulations in younger women with interstitial cystitis

To evaluate the consistency of cystoscopic findings with hydrodistension in younger women with a clinical diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients aged younger than 26 years old at the time of initial cystoscopy and hydrodistension at a single institution. Data included approximate duration of symptoms, development of visible terminal hematuria, presence of ulcers, and semiquantitive evaluation of degree of glomerulations (negligible, moderate, diffuse), and bladder capacity under anesthesia.

Eighteen women aged 15 to 25 years old (mean, 17.5 years) were identified. The mean duration of symptoms was 38 months, with an estimated mean age of onset of 16 years. No patient had Hunner's ulcers, and 13 had visible terminal hematuria with moderate-to-diffuse glomerulations. Ten women had repeat cystoscopies, and the mean time to repeat cystoscopy was 17 months. Three women underwent repeat cystoscopy and initially had a relatively normal bladder mucosa, with none or only rare glomerulations, but moderate-to-diffuse glomerulations were seen on the subsequent cystoscopy in addition to the development of terminal hematuria. One patient, conversely on subsequent cystoscopy, showed resolution of glomerulations.

Interstitial cystitis symptoms can develop before an age where adult urologists or primary care physicians familiar with the diagnosis and treatment are usually involved with care. The cystoscopic appearance of the bladder wall after hydrodistension may not be constant over time, and the absence of initial findings of glomerulations or terminal hematuria does not preclude further development of these hallmarks of the disease on subsequent evaluation.