MAPP

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) are common, chronic conditions characterized by persistent bladder or pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. The causes of these two debilitating conditions are poorly understand and their diagnosis and management are challenging. The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network was established in 2008 to help understand the underlying causes and natural history of these two conditions. As a Project Leader within the Network, Dr. Sutcliffe leads efforts to better describe and identify the causes of symptom exacerbations (flares) and variability in patients’ symptoms. Her work includes studies nested within the Trans-MAPP Epidemiology and Phenotyping Study, a 1-year longitudinal cohort study of 424 IC/BPS and CP/CPPS patients; the Symptom Patterns Study, a 3-year longitudinal cohort study of 620 patients that recently concluded; and a multi-site, qualitative focus group study.  

Funder: NIDDK