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Objectives: Because the term "interstitial cystitis" (IC) has different meanings in different centers and different parts of the world, the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) has worked to create a consensus on definitions, diagnosis, and classification in an attempt to overcome the lack of international agreement on various aspects of IC., Methods: ESSIC has discussed definitions, diagnostic criteria, and disease classification in four meetings and extended e-mail correspondence., Results: It was agreed to name the disease bladder pain syndrome (BPS). BPS would be diagnosed on the basis of chronic pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort perceived to be related to the urinary bladder accompanied by at least one other urinary symptom such as persistent urge to void or urinary frequency. Confusable diseases as the cause of the symptoms must be excluded. Classification of BPS types might be performed according to findings at cystoscopy with hydrodistention and morphologic findings in bladder biopsies. The presence of other organ symptoms as well as cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and sexual symptoms, should be addressed., Conclusions: The name IC has become misleading and is replaced by BPS. This name is in line with recent nomenclature recommendations by the European Association of Urology and is based on the axial structure of the International Association for the Study of Pain classification. To facilitate the change of the name, ESSIC agreed to include IC in the overall term (BPS/IC) during this transition period.

Objective: The Zuidex system facilitates non-endoscopic urethral injection for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It comprises four pre-filled syringes of non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid/dextranomer (NASHA/Dx) gel and an Implacer device. This open, 12-month study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this system in women with SUI., Methods: Patients were aged > or =18 years with a history of SUI for > or =12 months (hypermobility and/or intrinsic sphincter deficiency), had failed prior non-invasive therapy and were invasive-therapy naïve. Up to two treatments with NASHA/Dx gel were permissible (re-treatment was offered at week 8). Positive response to treatment was defined as a reduction in provocation test leakage of > or =50% compared with baseline. Efficacy was also measured by 24-hour pad weight test leakage, and number of incontinence episodes/24 hours., Results: A total of 142 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 55.7 years. The response rate was 78% at week 12, and 77% at month 12. Significant reductions in median provocation test leakage, 24-hour pad-weight test leakage and number of incontinence episodes/24 hours were observed at all time-points. At month 12, the median decreases from baseline in these three variables were 93%, 89% and 67%, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events were of a nature expected with urethral injection - most were transient, and of mild or moderate intensity., Conclusions: Treatment with NASHA/Dx gel produced large, statistically significant reductions in urinary leakage sustained over 12 months and was well tolerated. These findings suggest that NASHA/Dx gel could be considered as an early intervention in treatment-naïve cases of SUI.