Interstitial Cystitis Survey
A survey was conducted amongst members of the charity in 1999, and was the first study of its kind to be undertaken in the UK by the support group. The results were confirmation of what the group had experienced since its inception some five years earlier, and thus provided evidence of what had previously been anecdotal information.It had long been held that interstitial cystitis was a condition suffered by post-menopausal women only, and that men and younger women do not suffer from the condition. The results clearly showed that these two beliefs were false.
A report in the Journal of Urology (February 1999-549) concluded that the incidence of interstitial cystitis in the general population might be three fold greater in Europe than previously reported, and stood at 67 cases per 100,000 head of population. It was postulated that the incidence of interstitial cystitis might be as high as 2% of the adult female population (Parsons – ICA Germany conference, October 1997)
This report was presented to Members of Parliament attending a reception in the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons on the 27th April 1999