Interstitial Cystitis? Painful Bladder?

The University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Interstitial Cystitis Center has been investigating many aspects of this debilitating disease for more than a decade.  Our research team consists of physicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, public health scientists, professional interviewers, geneticists and genetic counselors, data managers, laboratory technicians as well as a recruitment director and other staff with special interests and expertise.  

Research

From time to time we recruit volunteers to participate in studies, many of which are funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

ENROLLMENT CLOSED

Maryland Genetics of Interstitial Cystitis — The MaGIC Study

Because interstitial cystitis tends to run in some families, our researchers are also conducting a study entitled Maryland Genetics of Interstitial Cystitis or MaGIC.  The study analyzes the DNA of people with IC to identify the gene or genes associated with susceptibility to the disease.  This may lead to the development of preventive measures and innovative treatments for IC.

ENROLLMENT CLOSED

Events Preceding Interstitial Cystitis — The EPIC Study.

EPIC is a case/control study that seeks to identify the risk factors for interstitial cystitis by comparing the experiences and medical histories of 400 women who recently developed IC with 400 similar women who do not have the disease.  This classic research design is the same type of research that established links between diet and exercise and coronary artery disease in the 1960s.  Understanding the causes of the disease will aid in designing treatments for IC.
 

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