Author:
Gousse Angelíca,Vetter Joel,Lai H. Henry
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To better understand the sensation of bladder “pressure” and “discomfort”, and how they are similar or distinct from the “pain” and “urgency” symptoms in IC/BPS and OAB.
Methods
IC/BPS and OAB patients rated their bladder pain, pressure, discomfort, and urinary urgency on separate 0–10 numeric rating scales (NRS). Their NRS ratings were compared between IC/BPS and OAB, and Pearson correlations were performed.
Results
Among IC/BPS patients (n = 27), their mean numeric ratings of pain, pressure, discomfort, and urinary urgency were almost identical (6.6 ± 2.1, 6.0 ± 2.5, 6.5 ± 2.2, and 6.0 ± 2.8 respectively). The three-way correlations between pain, pressure, or discomfort were very strong (all > 0.77). Among OAB patients (n = 51), their mean numeric ratings of pain, pressure, and discomfort (2.0 ± 2.6, 3.4 ± 2.9, 3.4 ± 2.9) were significantly lower than urgency (6.1 ± 2.6, p < 0.001). The correlations between urgency and pain, and between urgency and pressure were weak in OAB (0.21 and 0.26). The correlation between urgency and discomfort was moderate in OAB (0.45). The most bothersome symptom of IC/BPS was bladder/pubic pain, while the most bothersome symptom of OAB was urinary urgency and daytime frequency.
Conclusions
IC/BPS patients interpreted bladder pain, pressure, or discomfort as the similar concepts and rated their intensity similarly. It is unclear whether pressure or discomfort provide additional information beyond pain in IC/BPS. Discomfort may also be confused with urgency in OAB. We should re-examine the descriptors pressure or discomfort in the IC/BPS case definition.
Funder
National Institutes of Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Urology,Reproductive Medicine,General Medicine