Urinary and Serologic Markers forInterstitial Cystitis: An Update

This update reviews the published literature from the past 2 years pertaining to urinary and serum markers for interstitial cystitis (IC). Literature on markers described before 2004 also is included when needed to provide background information for the current literature. The markers that have been the focus of the most research in the recent literature are antiproliferative factor, epidermal growth factor, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, glycosaminoglycans, and bladder nitric oxide. These markers are discussed in consideration of their three different possible roles: 1) as diagnostic markers of IC; 2) distinguishing relevant subsets of IC patients; and 3) measuring disease activity and objectively following treatment response.