[Relationships among clinical symptoms, bladder condition, and subjective perceptions in patients with interstitial...

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a silent challenge for patients. Various symptoms related to IC are causes of physical disability and mental distress.

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

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.

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.

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.