Open Access

REVIEW

The role of the bladder surface in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

Joel M. H. Teichman¹, Robert Moldwin²

1 Division of Urology, St. Paul’s Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2 Pelvic Pain Center, The Arthur Smith Institute for Urology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Joel M. H. Teichman, Division of Urology, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, #C307 - Burrard Building, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada

Canadian Journal of Urology 2007, 14(4), 3599-3607.

Abstract

Introduction: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a potentially severe and debilitating condition of the bladder. Numerous factors have been implicated in its pathogenesis.
Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted on the following topics: urothelium, mucosal lining, interstitial cystitis, bladder, and glycosaminoglycans.
Results: A commonly proposed cause for IC is a defect or alteration in the bladder surface leading to increased permeability to noxious urinary solutes and ultimately to tissue inflammation and neurogenic upregulation. Support for this concept is drawn from studies of the structure, function, and composition of the bladder surface. The cause(s) of this alteration is not known, although recent research has implicated changes in the levels of growth factors and/or compounds that protect against irritants and potentially "toxic" factors. The etiology of IC is likely multifactorial.
Conclusions: Alterations of the bladder surface are observed in IC, and may play an important role in the etiology of this condition.

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