INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS IN THE NETHERLANDS - PREVALENCE, DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA AND THERAPEUTIC PREFERENCES

Purpose: We determine the prevalence of interstitial cystitis in The N etherlands, and analyze the most common diagnostic and therapeutic app roaches among Dutch urologists. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was completed by urologists and analyzed with the help of a statistic al computer program. Results: The prevalence of interstitial cystitis was calculated to be 8 to 16/100,000 female patients. Pathology of bla dder biopsies and the presence of mast cells were the main diagnostic criteria. Dimethyl sulfoxide instillations, bladder hydrodistension an d surgery were the most frequently applied therapies.Conclusions: The prevalence of interstitial cystitis in The Netherlands is in line with that of other reports from Europe but low compared to the United Stat es findings. The importance of pathology and the presence of mast cell s in the diagnosis, as well as less awareness might contribute to this difference.