We also compared APF, HB-EGF and EGF levels in IC patients with Hunner's ulcers vs. IC patients without Hunner's ulcers, and determined that mean values for all three markers were more abnormal in patients with ulcers, although the difference between IC patients with Hunner's ulcers and IC patients without Hunner's ulcers was only statistically significant for EGF in this study. This evidence concerns the gene EGF and ulcer disease.