Prevalence of autoimmune disorders among bladder pain syndrome patients’ relatives

Abstract

Purpose

Possible genetic background and autoimmune etiology of Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS, formerly Interstitial Cystitis, IC) has been suggested. We studied whether familial clustering of BPS, other autoimmune diseases or fibromyalgia exist among BPS patients’ genetically close relatives; possibly reflecting some common predisposing genetic background of these diseases.

Materials and methods

Altogether 420 first- or second-degree relatives of 94 BPS patients fulfilling the NIDDK criteria were asked to fill in a survey on the self-reported diagnosis of urinary tract diseases, fibromyalgia and 23 autoimmune diseases, together with filling the O’Leary–Sant symptom score. The ones with high symptom scores were interviewed and, if necessary, referred to a further clinical consultation. The prevalence of other diseases was compared to previously published prevalence percentages.

Results

334 (80%) of 420 family members returned the questionnaire. Only one of the relatives fulfilled the NIDDK criteria, and one sibling pair among the original BPS patients was found. Asthma, ulcerative colitis, fibromyalgia, iritis and rheumatoid arthritis were more common in the study population than in the reference populations. The reported prevalence of atopic dermatitis and rhinoconjunctivitis causing allergies were lower. In addition, the results show that the O’Leary–Sant symptom score is not reliable in screening for new BPS cases.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that in BPS patients’ families, fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases including asthma, and especially the non-allergic form of asthma, may be over-represented.

Keywords:

• Cystitis
• interstitial
• asthma
• heredity
• genetics
• surveys and questionnaires
• Bladder Pain Syndrome

Acknowledgements

Urological study nurse, Mrs. Merja Rignell and late Professor of Urology, Mirja Ruutu are acknowledged for irreplaceable collaboration in this study. Prof. Kristiina Aittomäki is acknowledged for advice on genetics. All members of the FinnIC study group are thanked for help during the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Finnish Urological Association.