Sex differences in risk factors for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms in C hina

Aim The aim of the present study was to identify sex differences of risk factors for interstitial cystitis ( IC )/painful bladder syndrome ( PBS ) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) without urinary tract infection or benign prostate hyperplasia in C hina. Patients and Methods A total of 954 outpatients with LUTS presenting for care to urology clinics in many hospitals on a national scale were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. The definitions for PBS, based on the O ' L eary– S ant IC symptom and problem indices, was used. The prevalence of possible risk factors was analysed using the F isher's exact test, P earson's χ 2 ‐test and binary logistic regression methods. Results Of the multicentre patients surveyed (491 women and 463 men), 44.7 per cent (427/954) met the criteria for PBS . There was a significant difference between women and men [51.7 per cent (254/491) vs 37.3 per cent (173/463), P  > 0.05]. After adjusting for confounding factors, bladder pain was found to be significantly associated with the consumption of stimulatory foods [odds ratio ( OR ): 3.85, 95 per cent confidence interval ( CI ): 1.58–9.36, P  = 0.003] and anorectal disease ( OR : 2.76, 95 per cent CI : 1.09–7.04, P  = 0.03) in women. Caffeine beverage intake ( OR : 3.54, 95 per cent CI : 1.54–8.12, P  = 0.003) was identified the only modifiable association noted in a multivariate analysis of men. Factors in men significantly associated with an increased risk of IC / PBS were the consumption of caffeinated beverages ( OR : 1.43, 95 per cent CI : 1.16–1.75, P  = 0.001) and holding in urine ( OR : 1.18, 95 per cent CI : 1.03–1.36, P  = 0.034). Conclusions A higher incidence of IC was founded in LUTS outpatients without urinary tract infection or benign prostate hyperplasia in C hina. Stimulating foods, irritable bowel, gynaecologically‐infected diseases and anorectal disease are potential risk factors for IC/PBS in women. Caffeinated beverages and holding in urine are potential risk factors for IC/PBS in men.