Establishing Evidence for the Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale-Interstitial Cystitis

Although female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and low sexual self-efficacy are common in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), existing measures of these constructs do not fully capture unique challenges faced by patients with IC/BPS, such as managing sex-related symptom exacerbations, experiencing rewarding sexual activity, and maintaining intimate relationships. To address the lack of tailored measurement of FSD and sexual self-efficacy in patients with IC/BPS, we aimed to adapt the Painful Intercourse Self-Efficacy Scale-Interstitial Cystitis (PISES-IC) for this population.

To form the PISES-IC, we added three items to the pain self-efficacy subscale of the PISES, each informed directly by qualitative interviews with patients with IC/BPS and literature review of patient-reported sexual experiences in IC/BPS. Utilizing baseline data of 71 female participants involved in a clinical trial for IC/BPS (NCT#04275297), we assessed the validity and reliability of the newly adapted PISES-IC.

Results indicate that the PISES-IC is indeed a valid and reliable measure of sexual self-efficacy in the IC/BPS population and that the items informed by IC/BPS patient experiences (self-efficacy related to pain flares, rewarding sexual activity, and interference with romantic relationships) may be particularly related to FSD in patients with IC/BPS.

The PISES-IC captures aspects of sexual experiences of patients with IC/BPS that are not assessed by other existing measures. The PISES-IC can be utilized in research and clinical settings to inform patient care and to further understand sexual experiences of IC/BPS patients.