Differential Diagnosis for Dysuria, Urinary Urgency, Urinary Frequency, and Suprapubic Discomfort

Female Patients

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Cystitis: This is the most common diagnosis in female patients presenting with these symptoms, due to the shorter urethra which increases the risk of bacterial entry into the bladder.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra can cause similar symptoms to cystitis and is often due to sexually transmitted infections.
  • Interstitial Cystitis: A condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, leading to symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain.
• Do Not Miss
  • Pyelonephritis: An infection of the upper urinary tract that can lead to severe complications, such as sepsis, if not promptly treated.
  • Kidney Stones: Although less common in women, kidney stones can cause severe pain and urinary symptoms, and can lead to complications like obstruction or infection if not diagnosed.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Tubulointerstitial Nephritis: A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the kidney tubules and interstitium, which can cause urinary symptoms and renal dysfunction.
  • Malacoplakia: A rare inflammatory condition that affects the bladder and can cause symptoms similar to cystitis.

Male Patients

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause urinary symptoms, pelvic pain, and discomfort.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Urethritis: Similar to female patients, urethritis is a common cause of dysuria and urinary frequency in men, often due to sexually transmitted infections.
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause urinary symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, and weak stream.
• Do Not Miss
  • Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis, which can cause severe pain and urinary symptoms, and can lead to complications like testicular infarction if not promptly treated.
  • Kidney Stones: Similar to female patients, kidney stones are a critical diagnosis to consider in men, as they can cause severe pain and urinary symptoms, and can lead to complications like obstruction or infection if not diagnosed.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Seminal Vesiculitis: Inflammation of the seminal vesicles, which can cause symptoms similar to prostatitis.
  • Bladder Cancer: Although rare, bladder cancer can cause urinary symptoms, such as hematuria and dysuria, and is an important diagnosis to consider in older male patients.