Sensory Processing in Subjects With Painful Bladder Syndrome

Sensory Processing in Subjects With Painful Bladder Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to determine if clinically relevant subsets exist in patients meeting the diagnosis of Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS). Subsets suggest differential responses to treatments and if verified, this will be important for the stratification of patients in clinical studies related to PBS.

Patients with the diagnosis of painful bladder syndrome (PBS) constitute two or more phenotypes that are distinguished by differential neurophysiological processing of sensory information. Further, these differing phenotypes can be predicted by the presence or absence of the co-morbidity fibromyalgia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• NIDDK criteria for Painful Bladder Syndrome
• Age 19 years or older
• Must be able to read and speak English since testing materials are validated in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• PBS subjects must be independent of co-existing pain disorders or use of medications
• Uncontrolled hypertension or significant cardiopulmonary disease
• No chronic daily pain
• Older than 75 years of age