Over the last 25-30 years there has been a significant increase in government and foundation funding for research into IC—both basic and clinical—in the USA and worldwide. The disease/syndrome has been defined and redefined as IC, painful bladder syndrome (PBS), BPS and hypersensitive bladder (HSB) and this has led to a lack of uniformity of disease definition for clinicians and patients. Furthermore, there are a number of association, society and regional guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Awareness of the disease has increased mainly as a result of the sterling work and contribution of various patient advocacy groups throughout the world. Disappointingly, in spite of the above efforts and research funding, no new treatment for IC has achieved regulatory approval in the United States (US) since Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) in 1996. (extracted from the Preface of the focused issue)

This focused issue is available on: Part 1 and Part 2.

Guest Editor: Professor Grannum R. Sant, MD, FRCS, FACS. Tufts University School of Medicine, USA
Guest Editor: Professor Ricardo Saban, DVM, PhD. University Anhembi Morumbi, S. Paulo, Brazil