The Japanese diagnosis and treatment guidelines for Interstitial Cystitis have now been made public. Endorsed by the Japanese Urolgical Association, these guidelines have been long awaited and may be highly influential in Asia and worldwide. The very thorough guideline is backed up with 220 references and was written by Homma and colleagues throughout Japan and Tokyo.
The guideline lists three requirements that are necessary in order for Interstitial Cystitis to be diagnosed. These include:
- the symptoms of urinary frequency, bladder pain and/or hypersensitivity.
- cystoscopic findings proving pathologies in the bladder.
- exclusion of other diseases with similar symptoms.
Mandatory requirements for clinical diagnosis include:
- clinical history
- physical examination
- urinalysis
The guideline recommends that the following be completed by the physician:
- urine culture & cytology
- symptom scores & quality of life scores
- frequency volume chart
- measuring residual urine
- cystocopy & hydrodistention
Optional tests recommended in the guidelines include:
- bladder biopsy
- potassium testing
- ultrasonography
- urodynamics
- x-ray imaging
Along with the new Japanese guidelines, currently underway are the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis guidelines, and the American Urological Association guidelines. Together the three of these will help to design the necessary research and clinical trials needed that will help find more effective treatments and maybe even prevention of IC.
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