title: Nursing Care of Women With Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome.
abstract: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome is a chronic condition affecting approximately 3.3 million women in the United States. It is defined by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases as "urinary pain that can't be attributed to other causes such as infection or urinary stones." Because of the intimate nature of the symptoms, women are often reluctant to seek treatment. When they do, they require a care provider with specialized nursing skills. Nursing practice based on carefully reviewed literature will result in the provision of comprehensive and compassionate nursing care for women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing at Governors State University in University Park, IL. Electronic address: nmacmullen@govst.edu.
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: MacMullen
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing at Resurrection University in Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dulski
authors.affiliation: Tinley Park Campus at Chamberlain College of Nursing in Tinley Park, IL.
authors.forename: Patricia B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Governors State University in University Park, IL.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blobaum
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: bladder pain; evidence-based practice; interstitial cystitis; literature review; painful bladder syndrome