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Interstitial cystitis
Research and more information
Hope Through Research
Although answers may seem slow in coming, researchers are working to solve the painful riddle of IC. Some scientists receive funds from the Federal Government to help support their research, while others receive support from their employing institution, drug companies, or patient support associations.
NIDDK's investment in scientifically meritorious IC research across the country has grown considerably since 1987. The Institute now supports research that is looking at various aspects of IC, such as how the components of urine may injure the bladder and what role organisms identified by nonstandard methods may have in causing IC. In addition to funding research, NIDDK sponsors scientific workshops where investigators share the results of their studies and discuss future areas for investigation.
Database
An important part of NIDDK's IC research program has been the National IC Database Study, the first systematic, long-term look at a large number of people with IC. Baseline data have been analyzed to provide a foundation for subsequent studies in the IC Clinical Trials Group.
Clinical Trials Group
In 1998, NIDDK initiated the IC Clinical Trials Group, a project designed to develop and test new treatment strategies for patients with IC. The first trial is testing two oral drugs. One group is being treated with Elmiron, a second with Atarax, a third with both drugs, and a fourth with placebo.
The second trial is testing whether the bacterium Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) relieves the pelvic pain and frequent urination that are hallmarks of IC. Participants are randomly assigned to have either a BCG or a saline solution temporarily placed in the bladder during each of six clinic visits. Neither doctors nor patients know who has received the BCG until the study ends. Patients whose symptoms are not relieved by the initial series will be openly offered BCG.
For More Information
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Suite 410
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 1-800-828-7866 or (410) 689-3990
Email: admin@afud.org
Internet: www.afud.org
American Pain Society
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025
Phone: (847) 375-4715
Email: info@ampainsoc.org
Internet: www.ampainsoc.org
American Urogynecologic Society
2025 M Street NW., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 367-1167
Fax: (202) 367-2167
Email: augs@dc.sba.com
Internet: www.augs.org
International Association for the Study of Pain
909 Northeast 43rd Street, Suite 306
Seattle, WA 98105-6020
Phone: (206) 547-6409
Email: iaspdesk@juno.com
Internet: www.iasp-pain.org
Interstitial Cystitis Association of America
110 North Washington Street, Suite 340
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 1-800-HELP-ICA (435-7422) or (301) 610-5300
Fax: (301) 610-5308
Email: icamail@ichelp.org
Internet: www.ichelp.org
National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
7979 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814-2429
Phone: (301) 652-4948
Fax: (301) 907-0745
National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 1-800-622-9010 or (212) 889-2210
Email: info@kidney.org
Internet: www.kidney.org
National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives
6 Prospect Street
Midland Park, NJ 07432-1691
Phone: 1-800-431-2804
Email: webmaster@nosscr.org
Internet: www.nosscr.org
Social Security Administration
Write or call your local office: look in the telephone book under U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services
or call 1-800-772-1213,
visit www.ssa.gov on the Internet,
or write to
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
United Ostomy Association
19772 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: 1-800-826-0826 or (949) 660-8624
Fax: (949) 660-9262
Email: info@uoa.org
Internet: www.uoa.org
What is interstitial cystitis?
What causes interstitial cystitis?
