Prevalence of painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis-like symptoms in women: a population-based study in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Despite growing clinical interest in painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC, also known as bladder pain syndrome), estimating its prevalence is difficult because of its variable presentation and the lack of clear diagnostic criteria. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of PBS/IC-like urinary symptoms in adult women in the general population of South Korea. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted among 2,323 women (18-71 years of age), selected by geographically stratified random sampling, based on Korean census data. The survey was performed by trained interviewers between September 22, 2008, and October 6, 2008. All participants were interviewed by telephone using a validated questionnaire, the O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem (OLS) index. Women with high symptom and problem index scores of 12 or greater and scores of two or greater for pain and nocturia symptoms were considered to have "probable PBS/IC," according to previously suggested criteria. RESULTS: After exclusions, a total of 2,300 respondents were included. The severity of symptoms increased with age. Eight respondents (0.35%) reported severe symptoms and problems (OLS survey scores of ≥12). Of these, six (261/100,000 or 0.26%, 95% CI 242-278) met previously suggested criteria for probable PBS/IC. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PBS/IC-like urinary symptoms in South Korean women appeared to be lower than in Europe and the United States, and similar to that of Japan, according to common criteria. Screening for symptoms that are consistent with the disease may improve our understanding of its true prevalence.

Prevalence and correlates of painful bladder syndrome symptoms in Fuzhou Chinese women.

AIMS: We randomly sampled a community-based, healthy population to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of painful bladder syndrome (PBS) symptoms. METHODS: We randomly sampled 6,066 women (3.0% of registered female residents) aged 20 years or above in Fuzhou and mailed Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire for women self-completion. Four thousand six hundred eight four (77.2%) women with evaluable data were included in this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of PBS symptoms in Fuzhou Chinese women was 0.98% (n = 46). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed parity >2, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were correlated with PBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PBS symptoms in Chinese women is similar to those in Occidental women. Parity >2, diabetes mellitus, and smoking are potential correlates for PBS symptoms.

Comparison of APF activity and epithelial growth factor levels in urine from Chinese, African-American, and white American patients with interstitial cystitis.

OBJECTIVES: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder disorder for which the etiology is unknown. We have previously shown that antiproliferative factor (APF), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are sensitive and specific biomarkers for IC in white American patients. Because little is known about the epidemiology of this disorder, it is unclear whether these factors would also be useful biomarkers for IC in patients from different racial groups and/or geographic locations. METHODS: Urine specimens were collected from Chinese, white American, and African-American women with IC and age and race-matched asymptomatic normal control women. APF activity was determined by (3)H-thymidine incorporation into primary normal adult human bladder epithelial cells in vitro. The HB-EGF and EGF urine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The Chinese, African-American, and white American women with IC had significantly greater urine APF activity (P <0.000001, P = 0.0008, and P <0.000001, respectively), lower urine HB-EGF levels (P <0.000001, P = 0.02, and P <0.000001, respectively), and greater urine EGF levels (P <0.000001, P = 0.002, and P <0.000001, respectively), than their matched asymptomatic controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the utility of APF, HB-EGF, and EGF as biomarkers for IC in patients from three different racial groups and two different countries.