Pain and depression experienced by women with interstitial cystitis

The goal of this study was to better understand the experience of women suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic pain condition that has, as of yet, received little attention from psychosocial investigators. Eighty women with IC participated. The results from this study demonstrate that, in addition to frequency of voiding (the hallmark symptom of the disorder), IC sufferers also endure significant pain and depression. Levels of pain experienced by IC patients during their most painful flares exceed levels of pain experienced by other chronic pain patients. Similarly, levels of depression experienced by IC patients exceed those evidenced by the general population and by other populations of chronic pain patients. Furthermore, the pain and depression experienced by IC patients may be predicted by cognitive factors. Severity of pain is associated with self-efficacy for coping with pain. Severity of depression is associated with pain, self-efficacy for coping with pain, and self-stigmatization.