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Published on: April 27, 2014
Paediatric painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: diagnosis and treatment
1Division of Urology, Providence Healthcare and Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) in children mimics adult symptoms, diagnosed by exclusion. Management involves lifestyle changes and medications like pentosan polysulfate or amitriptyline.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Urology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a complex condition affecting children.
- Pediatric PBS/IC shares clinical characteristics with adult presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric PBS/IC.
- To highlight controversies in diagnosis and management of pediatric PBS/IC.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of adult and pediatric literature on PBS/IC was conducted.
- Focus on diagnostic criteria and pharmacological interventions for pediatric cases.
Main Results:
- Pediatric PBS/IC commonly presents with urinary frequency and abdominal pain (up to 88%).
- Diagnosis is established by excluding other conditions; urinalysis and cultures are typically normal.
- Enuresis can be a presenting symptom in affected children.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric PBS/IC management parallels adult treatment strategies.
- Non-surgical options include dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacotherapy.
- Pharmacological treatments comprise pentosan polysulfate, amitriptyline, hydroxyzine, cimetidine, or intravesical therapies.
Abstract:
To describe the pathophysiology, diagnosis and controversies surrounding the diagnosis and pharmacological treatments of painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) in children, we reviewed adult and paediatric literature pertaining to PBS/IC. Paediatric PBS/IC presents similarly to adult PBS/IC. The diagnosis is made by exclusion. Paediatric PBS/IC patients complain most commonly of urinary frequency, and abdominal pain occurs in up to 88% of affected children. Enuresis may also be a presenting complaint. Urinalysis and urine cultures are unremarkable. Management of paediatric PBS/IC is similar to that of adult PBS/IC, and non-surgical management includes dietary, lifestyle and pharmacological therapy. Pharmacological options include pentosan polysulfate, amitriptyline, hydroxyzine, cimetidine or intravesical therapies (dimethyl sulfoxide or 'therapeutic solution').
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