Classic Interstitial Cystitis: Unrelated to BPS

TLDR: Recent progress in the understanding of the BPS/IC complex will be discussed, emphasizing the fact that the classic Hunner disease (BPS type 3C according to the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) classification) is a well-defined condition that fulfills the requirements of the denomination interstitial cystitis.

Abstract: When first recognized, more than one hundred years ago, the term interstitial cystitis (IC) was reserved for subjects with a special type of deep inflammation of the bladder wall. Later, the scope of IC widened, including all kinds of bladder pain syndromes (BPS), giving rise to a lot of confusion and difficulties in research as well as in clinical practice. Herein, recent progress in the understanding of the BPS/IC complex will be discussed, emphasizing the fact that the classic Hunner disease (BPS type 3C according to the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) classification) is a well-defined condition that fulfills the requirements of the denomination interstitial cystitis. The paper will also discuss recent research on diagnostics, markers, genetics, and various types of remedies for classic IC. For the benefit of our patients, in BPS/IC, it is time for a final separation of the concepts BPS and IC. Classic IC is a well-defined entity with multiple unique characteristics, those characteristics having a potential for development of a specific rational, pharmacological, and surgical treatment algorithm if further investigated. BPS, on the other hand, seems to include a heterogenic composition of conditions calling for broad attempts to be more closely explored.