A Nationwide Crowdsource Study: Evaluating Symptom Severity and Urinary Cytokine Levels in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Patients, With and Without Hunner's Lesions

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-2024

Publication Title

Journal of Urology

Abstract

NTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is characterized by urinary symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and pain. There is a strong interest in gathering more data to compare and assess the differences in characteristics based on the presence of Hunner's lesions in IC/BPS patients. Our objective was to compare the clinical characteristic and urine cytokine level differences based on the history of Hunner's lesions. METHODS: Through a nationwide crowdsource effort, we collected surveys and urine samples from patients with a history of IC/BPS. Participants completed the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index(ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Overactive Bladder questionnaire short form (OABq SF), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Participants reported on other co-morbidities and lifestyle modifications. Survey responses, urinary cytokine levels and symptoms severity were compared between patients with and without a history of Hunner's lesions. RESULTS: 491 participants participated in the study with 119 reporting a history of Hunner's lesions (UIC), 372 reporting no lesions(NHIC), and 2 unknowns. Most respondents were female (96.2%), and the prevalence of UIC was equal for both genders (25%). Average age was higher in the UIC vs NHIC group (52.7 vs 47.8; p[0.011), as was the duration since diagnosis (14.8 vs. 8.2; p<0.001). Average VAS scores were higher in UIC patients, though this did not reach statistical significance (p[0.055). Both groups widely implemented lifestyle modifications (92.3%) as part of their management strategy, with dietary changes being the most common approach (70.1%), followed by prescription medication usage (63.1%). More UIC (69.7%) compared to NHIC participants (56.2%) experienced other health complications(p[0.010). 343 urine samples were analyzed for GRO, IL-6, IL-8, andMCP-1. Among these, MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with HIC (p[0.044). In addition, ICSI scores were weakly correlated with GRO, IL-6, and IL-8. GRO exhibited a weak positive correlation with OABq symptom severity scores, and IL-8 was positively correlated with VAS pain scores. Furthermore, GRO and IL-6 urinel evels were significantly altered based on symptom severity for urgency, nocturia and frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with UIC and NHIC from various regions across the United States displayed distinct phenotypic and urine biological characteristics. These findings contribute to a better understanding of IC/BPS and may aid in improving our knowledge of the condition

Volume

211

Issue

5S

First Page

e537

Comments

American Urological Association Annual Meeting, May 3-6, 2024, San Antonio, TX

DOI

10.1097/01.JU.0001008584.88541.ff.04

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