Page 86 - Urological Health

d. Bladder biopsy
A biopsy may need to be taken if something abnormal (not linked with IC) is seen in the bladder. A
biopsy, though, does not help in making the IC diagnosis and so should not be done.

A little pause is needed here before we dive into treatment. Let’s look at ways we classify IC patients.

In 2009, doctors came up with a system to help classify IC patients and tailor treatment. The UPOINT
system was born – U: urinary; P: psychosocial; O: organ specific; I: infection; N: neurologic/systemic,
and T: tenderness of skeletal muscles.Take a look at the figure below; you’ll see that each domain leads
to treatment options. This isn’t a complete list of all the available treatments associated with each of
the UPOINT categories – this is just an example to help illustrate its usefulness. The beauty of this
approach is that treatment is tailored to your specific needs. It is an exciting new way to holistically
look at IC.

Antimuscarinics Dietary Changes IC/PBS Therapies

UNDER REVIEW Prostate or Bladder

Urinary Psychosocial Organic Specific
Involvement

Counseling
Alpha Blockers Anti-Depressants Stress Reduction CPPS Prostate
Cognitive Therapies
Behavioral Therapy

Neurological/ Tenderness of
Infection
Systemic Skeletal Muscles

Antibiotics Neuroleptic Drugs Pelvic Floor
Physical Therapy

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