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Women's experience with severe overactive bladder symptoms and treatment: Insight revealed from patient focus groups
Author(s) -
Anger Jennifer T.,
Nissim Helen A.,
Le Thuy X.,
Smith Ariana L.,
Lee Una,
Sarkisian Catherine,
Litwin Mark S.,
Raz Shlomo,
Rodriguez Larissa V.,
Maliski Sally L.
Publication year - 2011
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.21004
Subject(s) - medicine , overactive bladder , toileting , focus group , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , grounded theory , patient experience , qualitative research , family medicine , alternative medicine , nursing , health care , activities of daily living , social science , pathology , marketing , sociology , economic growth , economics , business
Aims Research has focused on treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women with the goal of cure. The objective of this study was to assess women's perceptions of their OAB symptoms, treatment experience, and outcomes by conducting patient focus groups. Methods Women seen in our academic center female urology referral clinics were identified by ICD‐9 codes for OAB symptoms and recruited to participate in one of five focus groups, totaling 33 patients. Non‐clinician moderators conducted the focus group sessions incorporating topics related to patients' perceptions of OAB symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. Data analysis was performed using grounded theory methodology. Results Qualitative analysis yielded several preliminary themes: impact of OAB on quality of life, strategies to control wetness, medications and side effects, and triggers. The majority of focus group participants reported only a partial response to medication and other physician‐recommended treatments for OAB. Therefore, they developed self‐reliant personalized strategies to improve their quality of life. These strategies included fluid restriction, preventive toileting, and, most importantly, the use of incontinence pads. Conclusions The majority of the women who participated in the focus groups reported only a partial response to medical and other treatments for OAB. As a result, they developed personalized self‐management strategies to improve their quality of life. Although most studies addressing the treatment of OAB aim at curing the condition, such a strategy may be unrealistic. Applying a chronic care model that uses a patient‐centered symptom‐management approach to OAB may optimize patient outcomes and improve quality of life. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1295–1299, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.