Ulcerative Hunner Lesions Can Help Characterize Bladder Pain, Infection
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 -- Distinct phenotypic and urine biological characteristics are seen for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) with a history of ulcerative Hunner lesions (UIC) and those with no lesions (NHIC), according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology.
Bernadette M.M. Zwaans, Ph.D., from the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan, and colleagues compared and assessed the differences in characteristics in patients with IC/BPS based on the presence of Hunner lesions. Surveys and urine samples were obtained from patients with a history of IC/BPS; 491 patients were enrolled: 119 with a history of UIC, 372 with NHIC, and two unknown.
The researchers found that the average age and duration since diagnoses were higher for UIC versus NHIC. UIC patients had elevated symptom scores. Lifestyle modifications were widely implemented in both groups, with dietary changes followed by prescription medication usage the most prevalent (70.1 and 63.1 percent, respectively). Compared with NHIC participants, more UIC patients experienced comorbidities. In an analysis of urine samples, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 levels were significantly higher in UIC patients. There was a weak positive correlation noted between cytokines and symptom scores.
"These findings contribute to a better understanding of IC/BPS and may have implications for improving diagnosis and management strategies for IC/BPS patients, both with and without Hunner’s lesions," the authors write.
One author disclosed owning intellectual property associated with methods for diagnosing interstitial cystitis.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2024
Read this next
Transurethral Fulguration Alleviates Pelvic Pain in Interstitial Cystitis
MONDAY, May 5, 2025 -- For patients with interstitial cystitis (IC), transurethral fulguration (TUF) is effective for alleviating pelvic pain, according to a study published...
Lower Oral Health Scores Linked to Higher Pain Scores in Women
MONDAY, April 14, 2025 -- Low oral health scores are associated with higher pain scores, including migraine headache, among women, according to a study published online April 9 in...
ACP: Guidance Provided for Use of Cannabis in Chronic Noncancer Pain Management
MONDAY, April 7, 2025 -- In a best practice guideline issued by the American College of Physicians and published online April 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, advice is...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.