「間質性膀胱炎」好發於女性,女性的發生率約為男性的8-9倍,從20歲到80歲都有可能罹患此病,自1908年發現此病以來,醫師和學者投入的心力不知凡幾,至今仍未知此病的原因,因而診斷和治療也尚未有最佳解。文獻中有段話形容的很到位— The etiology of IC/BPS is unknown, the diagnostic criteria are confusing and few effective treatments are available, while currently there is no known cure.