[Relationships among clinical symptoms, bladder condition, and subjective perceptions in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a silent challenge for patients. Various symptoms related to IC are causes of physical disability and mental distress.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relationships between clinical symptoms, bladder condition and patient perceptions.


METHODS
This study enrolled 107 patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis at a medical center in eastern Taiwan and employed a cross-sectional design. Patient medical charts were reviewed. Structural questionnaires were used to collect data.


RESULTS
Participants with a high symptom problem index had poor bladder compliance, severe glomerulation and high visual analog scale (VAS) scores. There was a positive correlation between Hunner's ulcer and a high VAS score. Patients with severe lower urinary symptoms, low competency and severe glomerulation earned significantly higher patient perception of bladder condition scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found significant correlations between clinical symptoms, bladder condition and patient perceptions. This study may help enhance nursing staff knowledge of IC clinical symptoms so that they may provide appropriate interventions and education to improve patient self-care abilities and life quality.
Department of Nursing, National Taichung University of Science and Technology.
Pei-Rong
PR
Lee
Hui-Ling
HL
Yeh
Hann-Chorng
HC
Kuo
Ru-Ping
RP
Lee
Tai-Chu
TC
Peng
Yi-Maun
YM
Subeq
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012648:Self Care; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology*