title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Continence Care Treatments for Chinese Primary Care Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether community-based nurse-led continence care interventions are effective in improving outcomes for adult Chinese primary care patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-controlled intervention study was conducted. An intervention group of 360 primary care patients enrolled into a nurse-led continence care programme were recruited by consecutive sampling. A control group of 360 primary care patients with LUTS identified by screening were recruited from the waiting rooms of primary care clinics by consecutive sampling. Both groups were monitored at baseline and at 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included symptom severity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-efficacy, global health and self-reported health service utilization at 12-months. The effect of the continence care programme on symptom severity and HRQOL was assessed by the difference-in-difference estimation, using independent t-test and multiple liner regression. Chi-square test was used to compare the self-efficacy, global health and self-reported health service utilization between the two groups at 12-months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for baseline severity and socio-demographics, the intervention group had significant improvements in LUTS severity (P<0.05) and HRQOL (P<0.05). Improvements in the amount of urine leakage were not significantly different between the two groups. A higher proportion of subjects in the intervention group reported increased self-efficacy (43.48% vs. 66.83%), improved global health condition (17.74% vs. 41.5%), having doctor consultation (18.5% vs. 8.06), having medication due to LUTS (26.50% vs.11.29%) and having non-drug therapy due to LUTS (59.5% vs.9.68%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community-based nurse-led continence care can effectively alleviate symptoms, improve health-related quality of life, and enhance self-efficacy and the global health condition of Chinese male and female primary care patients with LUTS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Edmond P H
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Weng-Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Cindy L K
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Eric Y F
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Anca K C
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Karina H Y
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*