Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Syndrome Samples

Bay Biosciences provides high quality, clinical grade, fresh frozen biopsy bio-specimens, cryogenically preserved sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid samples from patients diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis Syndrome.

The sera (serum), plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols. The interstitial cystitis syndrome biopsy and biofluid samples are collected from unique patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis syndrome and are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.

Detailed clinical data, interstitial cystitis syndrome patients history, symptoms, complete blood count (CBC), biopsy tissue, elevated biomarker levels, genetic and metabolic information, histopathological findings, annotations associated with interstitial cystitis syndrome specimens is provided to a valued customer for research, development and drug discovery.

The interstitial cystitis syndrome sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid are processed from patients peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Overview

Interstitial cystitis (IC) also known as painful bladder syndrome is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome. It is a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area. Along with this pain are lower urinary tract symptoms which have lasted for more than 6 weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes. IC, is a bladder condition that usually consists of multiple symptoms. Most IC patients have recurring pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, and urinary (needing to go often) and urgency (feeling a strong need to go). Discomfort can range from a mild burning sensation to severe pain. The degree of discomfort can be persistent or infrequent. Some patients have periods of remission.

According to the Interstitial Cystitis Association, interstitial cystitis (IC) affects more than 12 million people people in the United States. Women are most likely to develop interstitial cystitis (IC) syndrome, 3 to 8 million women in the United States may have interstitial cystitis (IC) disease. That is about 3 to 6% of all women in the United States. On average, interstitial cystitis patients first start having problems in their 40s. The risk of getting it goes up as you get older. Children and adult men can get interstitial cystitis (IC) as well. Interstitial cystitis(IC) is a tricky condition. and is difficult to diagnose. Because interstitial cystitis (IC) has such a wide range of symptoms and severity, most experts think it might be several diseases. Although treatments can help manage the disease and make life with it better, there’s no cure for interstitial cystitis (IC) syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

The signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary from patient to patient. If you have interstitial cystitis, your symptoms may also vary over time, periodically flaring in response to common triggers, such as menstruation, sitting for a long time, stress, exercise and sexual activity.

Following are the common signs and symptoms of Interstitial cystitis syndrome:

• Pain in the pelvis, vulva or between the vagina and anus in women patients
• Pain between the scrotum and anus in men (perineum) pain in the testicles, penis, or the area behind the scrotum.
• Bladder pressure and pain that gets worse as your bladder fills up 
• Pain or discomfort while the bladder fills and relief after urinating
• Chronic pelvic pain
• A persistent, urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination, often of small amounts, throughout the day and night (up to 60 times a day)
• For women patients pain during sexual intercourse 
• For men, pain during orgasm or after sex

Symptoms and severity of interstitial cystitis (IC) is different for everyone, and some patients may experience symptom-free periods. Although signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may resemble those of a chronic urinary tract infection, there’s usually no infection. However, symptoms may worsen if a patient with interstitial cystitis gets a urinary tract infection. The bladder pain interstitial cystitis patients feel can range from a dull ache to piercing pain. Urinating may feel like just a little sting, or it can feel like serious burning. About 5% to 10% of the interstitial cystitis (CI) patients with get ulcers in their bladder.

Causes of Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Exact cause of interstitial cystitis (IC) is not known, but researchers believe that several factors may damage the lining of the bladder and therefore trigger the interstitial cystitis (IC) disorder. Following are some of the possible causes:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Bacterial infection
• Trauma to the bladder lining (for example, from surgical procedures) 
• Spinal cord trauma
• A problem with bladder tissue lets things in your pee irritate your bladder
• Inflammation causes your body to release chemicals that cause symptoms
• Something in the urine may damage the bladder
• A nerve problem makes the bladder feel pain from things that usually don’t hurt
• The immune system attacks the bladder
• Another condition that causes inflammation is also targeting the bladder

Risk Factors of Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Following are the factors associated with a higher risk of developing interstitial cystitis (IC) syndrome:

• Sex: Women are diagnosed with interstitial cystitis syndrome more often than men. Symptoms in men may mimic interstitial cystitis, but they’re more often associated with an inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).
• Skin and hair color: Having fair skin and red hair has been associated with a greater risk of developing interstitial cystitis.
• Age: Most people with interstitial cystitis are diagnosed during their 30s and 40s or older.
• Having a chronic pain disorder: Interstitial cystitis may be associated with other chronic pain disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia.

Complications of Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Interstitial cystitis can result in a number of health complications, including the following:

• Reduced bladder capacity: Interstitial cystitis can cause stiffening of the bladder wall, which causes your bladder to hold less urine.
• Lower quality of life: Frequent urination and pain may interfere with social activities, work and other activities of daily life.
• Sexual intimacy problems: Frequent urination and pain may strain your personal relationships, and sexual intimacy may suffer.
• Emotional troubles: The chronic pain and interrupted sleep associated with interstitial cystitis may cause emotional stress and can lead to depression.