An assessment of clinicians' and patients' experiences in the management of bladder pain syndrome

Abstract

Current management of bladder pain syndrome (BPS) was evaluated through a prospective electronic questionnaire posted on three patient support groups and sent to all members on the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) database. Methods of diagnosis and treatment were assessed. 133 patients and 69 clinicians participated in the survey. Patients reported their main symptom to be pain when their bladder was full in 80% (n = 107) and the most bothersome symptom was pelvic pain (22%, n = 29). 93% (n = 64) of clinicians made their diagnosis by history and cystoscopy. 78% (n = 54) of clinicians treated patients with amitriptyline and 75% (n = 52) by dietary modification while 77% (n = 102) of patients reported using simple analgesia, 74% (n = 98) dietary modification and 62% (n = 83) low-dose long-term antibiotics. There is wide variation in diagnostic methods and treatments of BPS used by clinicians and experienced by patients with no obvious consensus. National guidance is needed to help standardise care.

Keywords: Bladder pain syndrome; pelvic pain; survey; urogynaecology.