THE INCIDENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN PATIENTS WITH INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Purpose: The cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown. We evaluated t he incidence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in patients with inters titial cystitis to determine whether such infection may be a causative factor. Materials and Methods: We obtained serum samples from 23 pati ents with interstitial cystitis and 23 control subjects, Samples were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori IgG antibodies. Results: The in cidence of positive tests for H. pylori antibodies was 22% in the inte rstitial cystitis group and 35% in controls. Conclusions: The incidenc e of infection with H. pylori is not increased in interstitial cystiti s, and so it is unlikely to be a causative factor.