Abstract
Objective: To explore the perspectives of normal bladder function among women with lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of qualitative data from structured interviews with 50 adult women with lower urinary tract symptoms. A directed content analysis of the transcripts explored women's perspectives on normal bladder function. Results: Participants’ descriptions of “normal” took many forms and were based on several aspects of bladder function. A prominent feature of normal was that voiding occurred as a seamless process, beginning with an urge sensation, followed by voiding with ease and to completion, and then “being done.” Descriptions of normal were based largely on concepts of voiding regularity, including voiding frequency, intervals, and patterns during the day and night. Another aspect of normal bladder function was the notion of having control in terms of not leaking urine, as well as the ability to hold urine and defer urination. Views of normal bladder function extended to the absence of symptoms and the impact of being symptom-free on day-to-day life, including not having to think about or worry about the bladder or limit daily activities. Conclusion: Women's perspectives on normal bladder function are multifaceted, reflecting attributes most salient to each individual and likely informed by their personal experience with symptoms and their influence on daily life. This work has implications for how clinicians might engage women in discussing bladder symptoms and can inform future research and public health messaging about normal bladder function.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 103-109 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Urology |
| Volume | 150 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This was a secondary analysis of qualitative interview data from the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN). 20 LURN is a cooperative research network sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of LURN is to increase understanding of LUTS by (1) improving measurement of patient experiences of LUTS; (2) identifying and explaining important subtypes of LUTS; and (3) disseminating data, research tools, and biosamples to research and clinical communities. This secondary analysis was conducted by investigators from the PLUS Consortium, an NIDDK-funded network established to develop the scientific basis for prevention of LUTS and promotion of bladder health for women across the life course. 21
Funding Information:
Funding: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)— National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements (grants U01DK106786 , U01DK106853 , U01DK106858 , U01DK106898 , U01DK106893 , U01DK106827 , U01DK106908 , and U01DK106892 ). Additional funding from: National Institute on Aging , NIH Office on Research in Women's Health , and the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science . Data used in this manuscript were provided by the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN). LURN is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases through cooperative agreements (grants DK097780 , DK097772 , DK097779 , DK099932 , DK100011 , DK100017 , and DK099879 ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.