Diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Guidelines from the Committee of Female Urology (CUROPF) of the French Association of Urology (AFU)
Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition whose diagnosis relies primarily on a structured process of exclusion. Defined as chronic pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort perceived in relation to the bladder, accompanied by at least one urinary symptom, IC/BPS encompasses significant clinical and pathophysiological heterogeneity. A thorough medical history, targeted physical examination, and validated questionnaires such as the O'Leary-Sant score (ICSI/ICPI) form the foundation of initial evaluation. Patient phenotyping - distinguishing in particular the bladder-centric from the sensitization phenotype - is essential to guide both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Complementary investigations include a voiding diary, urine culture, imaging (ultrasound as first-line, CT scan and MRI as second-line modalities), and cystoscopy (preferably with hydrodistension under general anesthesia), which allows identification of Hunner's lesions, measurement of anatomical bladder capacity, and targeted biopsies. Urodynamic testing is reserved for cases of diagnostic uncertainty or associated voiding dysfunction. These recommendations aim to standardize the diagnostic approach in order to optimize individualized management in patients suffering from IC/BPS.
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BibTeX
@article{meyer2026diagnosis,
title = {{Diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Guidelines from the Committee of Female Urology (CUROPF) of the French Association of Urology (AFU)}},
author = {François Meyer and Caroline Brandon and Christian Saussine and Shahed Borojeni and Pierre Olivier Bosset and Sandrine Campagne-Loiseau and Jean‐nicolas Cornu and Laurence Donon and Lucie Even and Marie Florin and François Hervé and Sophie Hurel and Julia Klap and Marie Aimée Perrouin-Verbe and Caroline Plassais and Claire Richard and Adrien Vidart and Souhil Lebdai and Amélie Levesque and Caroline Thuillier and Benoît Peyronnet},
journal = {The French Journal of Urology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1016/j.fjurol.2026.103166},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05769790v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Guidelines from the Committee of Female Urology (CUROPF) of the French Association of Urology (AFU)
AU - François Meyer
AU - Caroline Brandon
AU - Christian Saussine
AU - Shahed Borojeni
AU - Pierre Olivier Bosset
AU - Sandrine Campagne-Loiseau
AU - Jean‐nicolas Cornu
AU - Laurence Donon
AU - Lucie Even
AU - Marie Florin
AU - François Hervé
AU - Sophie Hurel
AU - Julia Klap
AU - Marie Aimée Perrouin-Verbe
AU - Caroline Plassais
AU - Claire Richard
AU - Adrien Vidart
AU - Souhil Lebdai
AU - Amélie Levesque
AU - Caroline Thuillier
AU - Benoît Peyronnet
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/18
JO - The French Journal of Urology
DO - 10.1016/j.fjurol.2026.103166
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05769790v1
AB - Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition whose diagnosis relies primarily on a structured process of exclusion. Defined as chronic pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort perceived in relation to the bladder, accompanied by at least one urinary symptom, IC/BPS encompasses significant clinical and pathophysiological heterogeneity. A thorough medical history, targeted physical examination, and validated questionnaires such as the O'Leary-Sant score (ICSI/ICPI) form the foundation of initial evaluation. Patient phenotyping - distinguishing in particular the bladder-centric from the sensitization phenotype - is essential to guide both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Complementary investigations include a voiding diary, urine culture, imaging (ultrasound as first-line, CT scan and MRI as second-line modalities), and cystoscopy (preferably with hydrodistension under general anesthesia), which allows identification of Hunner's lesions, measurement of anatomical bladder capacity, and targeted biopsies. Urodynamic testing is reserved for cases of diagnostic uncertainty or associated voiding dysfunction. These recommendations aim to standardize the diagnostic approach in order to optimize individualized management in patients suffering from IC/BPS.
SN - 2950-4201
SN - 2950-3930
ER -