In 2008 the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network. This study represented a novel, highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research effort designed to better understand the underlying pathophysiology and patient “phenotypes” (i.e., observable biological and clinical characteristics) for the two most prominent chronic urologic pain conditions, Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) in women and men and Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) in men. Based on their shared symptoms and other similarities, IC/BPS and CP/CPPS are collectively referred to as Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) in MAPP Network studies.
The MAPP Research Network brought together a unique team of researchers with broad clinical, basic science, neuroscience, biostatistical, and epidemiological research expertise, among many others. Network studies utilized a highly integrated design and research approach that included exploring the interplay between urologic systems and other physiological systems to produce a systemic and holistic characterization of UCPPS. In addition, the MAPP Research Network worked to better understand the relationships between UCPPS and potentially related chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs), such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. All Network studies shared the common goals of informing future clinical trials for UCPPS and ultimately improved clinical care for patients.
