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“We have to stop again?!”: The impact of overactive bladder on family members
Author(s) -
Coyne Karin S.,
Matza Louis S.,
BrewsterJordan Jessica
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.20705
Subject(s) - nocturia , medicine , overactive bladder , urinary incontinence , embarrassment , context (archaeology) , urinary urgency , lower urinary tract symptoms , anxiety , worry , urinary system , psychiatry , urology , psychology , alternative medicine , psychotherapist , paleontology , prostate , pathology , cancer , biology
Aims Overactive bladder (OAB), characterized by urinary urgency, with or without incontinence, and urinary frequency and nocturia, has a significant impact on patients' lives. Given the social context inherent in OAB, the purpose of this study was to identify issues faced by OAB family members. Methods Incontinent OAB patients and their family members were recruited from a urology clinic. Continent OAB family members were recruited via newspaper advertisements. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate family impact; content analysis was used to analyze data. Results Participants included 14 dyads consisting of incontinent OAB patients and their family members (partners or daughters) and 17 continent OAB family members. Urinary frequency was the most bothersome symptom for family members as family members reported that their partners' urinary frequency significantly altered their lives by limiting activities (e.g., travel, social activities) and impacting time because of persistent, and urgent, need to find a toilet. Nocturia caused sleep disruption and fatigue for both patients and their partners. Family members indicated that their partner's OAB fostered significant emotions including embarrassment, anxiety, anger, worry, frustration, and sympathy. Several spouses reported that OAB limited their sexual interactions and intimacy. Conclusions OAB has a significant impact on OAB patients' family members, regardless of whether the patient and family member live together. Consequently, it is important to assess the family impact of symptomatic conditions such as OAB to fully understand the outcomes of disease and treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:969–975, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.