[Interstitial cystitis : Diagnosis and pharmacological and surgical therapy]

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic debilitating condition which generally has a severely negative impact on quality of life. An autoimmune genetic predisposition correlates with the theory of pathogenesis. Diagnosis requires history, diaries, physical examination, exclusion of other diseases, cystoscopy with or without hydrodistension and/or bladder biopsy. Novel biological markers are upcoming but not established. Behavioural, pharmacological oral and intravesical, interventional and surgical therapies with a wide range of reported success are available. A multimodal approach is recommended, although most of the therapeutic options lack a high degree of evidence.