Patient Evaluation
Evaluate for IC in patients presenting with
In assessing pain, consider that
Physical and lab exam
Cystoscopy and/or urodynamics
References:
The Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) Questionnaire1 and the O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis (IC) Symptom and Problem Index2 are IC symptom evaluation tools a patient can self-administer.
These tools may help establish baseline symptom values of IC during an initial patient consultation. Each tool can be placed at the front desk for patient self-administration before a visit, or a nurse can administer each questionnaire to the patient.
Although not a validated diagnostic tool, physicians can use the PUF Questionnaire to assist in their evaluation of patients with IC. Patients’ responses to questions concerning voiding problems, persistent pelvic pain, and pain during or after sexual intercourse are weighed to determine the intensity of symptoms.1
A study showed that IC should be considered if a patient records a PUF score of ≥10,1* although lower scores may indicate IC in patients who
The O'Leary-Sant IC Symptom and Problem Index questionnaire can also be used to assess a potential IC patient. A score of ≥6 on the index increases suspicion of IC.2
Reprinted from Urology, Vol 49, O'Leary MP, Sant GR, Fowler FJ Jr, Whitmore KE, Spolarich-Kroll J, The interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index, Page 62, Copyright 1997, with permission from Elsevier.
A study by Parsons et al showed PUF scores ≥10 correlated with positive potassium sensitivity test (PST)1*
*Although patients with IC are likely to have higher PUF scores, the questionnaire cannot exclude other conditions with similar symptoms and is not sufficient to diagnose IC independent of medical history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic measures.
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