While interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) has previously been thought to be a disease of young women, recent studies indicate that IC/BPS occurs across all age groups; with one study reporting 38% of patients with IC/BPS being diagnosed at an age greater than 60 years.1 Older patients with IC/BPS may present with different symptoms than their younger counterparts including nocturia, urinary incontinence, and Hunner’s lesions. Consequent to the reported link between antimuscarinic drug use in the elderly and dementia,2 as well as new concern of a novel maculopathy associated with chronic exposure to pentosan polysulfate,3 urologists are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of understanding side effect profiles and medication interactions when prescribing medication for chronic conditions such as IC/BPS. This is especially important when selecting pharmacologic treatments for frail, older adults with extensive medication lists.

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