Real‐World Patient Characteristics and Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)

ABSTRACT Objective Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is linked to bladder and/or pelvic pain, pressure, and discomfort with urinary frequency. Despite guidelines, there is a need for better treatment options. This study analyzed patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns for medications and procedures in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Methods This retrospective study examined real‐world claims from the Merative™ Marketscan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases (Set B) between January 1, 2016, and September 30, 2023. Treatment patterns for the interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome cohort were analyzed by examining the most frequent American Urological Association (AUA) IC/BPS guideline‐recommended medications prescribed during pre‐ and post‐index periods (index date=date of first diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome) during the identification period (December 31, 2016–September 30, 2022). Results The IC/BPS cohort was predominantly female (92.2%), with 49.8% of the population aged 40–59 years. Post‐index increases in the prescriptions of amitriptyline (pre‐index; n = 1316 vs post‐index; n = 2268), hydroxyzine (pre‐index; n = 1299 vs post‐index; n = 2096), cimetidine (pre‐index; n = 33 vs post‐index; n = 68), and pentosan polysulfate sodium (pre‐index; n = 796 vs post‐index; n = 1968) indicated alignment with AUA guidelines. While AUA guidelines recommend medication, utilization of pain agents, amitriptyline, cimetidine, hydroxyzine, and pentosan polysulfate sodium decreased from month 1 to month 2 post‐index and then remained steady. The most frequent procedure, both pre‐ and post‐index, was urinalysis/culture. Conclusion The management of IC/BPS is challenging due to its heterogeneity and lack of universally effective treatments. This study highlights the complexity of treatment patterns and evolving medication use over time.