Morbidity rate and medical utilization in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

The objective was to calculate the morbidity rate and medical utilization of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) over 12 years using a nationwide database of Taiwan.

This was a cohort study of the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010 with new diagnoses of IC/PBS from 2002 through 2013. The morbidity rate was adjusted for age, sex, and calendar date using density methods. Moreover, medical utilization during the study period was measured.

It was observed that the incidence of IC/PBS was 21.8/100,000 in 2002 and 21.1/100,000 in 2013. The prevalence of IC/PBS was 21.8/100,000 in 2002 and 40.2/100,000 in 2013. In 2003, the incidence and prevalence of women was 28.6/100,000 and 63.5/100,000 respectively. The incidence and prevalence of men was 12.3/100,000 and 19.4/100,000 respectively. In 2002, the incidence was 45.5/100,000, 32.4/100,000, and 9/100,000 in the age groups above 65, 40-65, and under 40 years respectively. The prevalence in 2003 was 86.3/100,000, 63.1/100,000, and 16.4/100,000 in age groups above 65, 40-65, and under 40 years respectively. This pattern was similar until 2013. The mean outpatient and inpatient visit time was 4.8 and 1.8 times per year respectively. The mean surgical fee (US$ 246.6 ± 304.5) was 23.6% of the total fee.

The morbidity rate of IC/PBS showed a higher incidence and prevalence in women and older patients. A new drug for the treatment of IC/PBS may be a factor of the peak in the morbidity rate. The increase in medical utilization could be explained by the awareness of physicians and patients seeking medical help.